Easter weekend means one thing…. CHESTER FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL #Out and About

Victoria Hayes
12th April 2022

Chester Food and Drink Festival returns to Chester Racecourse this Easter weekend from April 16 to April 18

Chester Food and Drink Festival is returning to its traditional Easter weekend slot for 2022 complete with a deliciously packed programme of popular attractions.

Visitors to the family-friendly event can enjoy features including the much loved sausage competition for the first time since before the pandemic; as well as appearances from star chefs including Mowgli Street Food owner, Nisha Katona MBE and Great British Bake Off 2020 finalist, Laura Adlington.

Last year’s festival had to go ahead during an August slot with Covid-19 restrictions preventing some elements from taking place. However, with Chester Food and Drink Festival 2022 now lining up its full feast of entertainment from April 16-18, organiser Briony Wilson said: “We are so happy the festival is back to Easter weekend.

“We were so lucky to be able to run it in August last year and we were thrilled with the fabulous options created by Chester Racecourse. However, Easter is our home space – it’s the flagship festival for the season and we carry that role with enormous pride.

“We cannot wait to fill the racecourse again with food and fun. We look forward to bringing some much-needed positivity, and delicious food and drink back to the city.”

Enjoy food, drinks and festival favourites

There will be more than 100 food and drink stalls at the event

Chester Food and Drink Festival boasts more than 100 food and drink exhibitors, inviting attendees to try new flavours from all around the world as well as a delicious selection of local Cheshire produce.

The Taste Cheshire Sausage Competition is a particular festival favourite amongst foodie visitors, and is back for 2022 as part of the Sunday morning stage line-up.

The first 40 members of the public at the festival that day will be invited to become a sausage judge and have their say on Chester’s ‘best plain’ and ‘best flavoured’ sausages. The judges will consider appearance, texture and taste to decide the winning sausages from local producers.

Free cookery classes are also returning for 2022 following a hiatus due to the pandemic, with sessions aimed at adults and children aged four to 10. Supported by James Holden of the Academy of Culinary Arts, the classes will give festival-goers the chance to get stuck in and create something new to take away and try.

Both adults and children can enjoy a masterclass in cookery with chef James Holden

Meanwhile, fabulous food and drink will once again be paired with some live music at the festival as choir performance can also return this year. Singers from Pop Vox choirs in Chester and Warrington will perform on the Saturday and Monday to get everyone in the mood for food.

Plus media partner In Demand Radio will be broadcasting live from the event, so keep an eye out for the studio when you’re out and about at the festival this Easter weekend.

Sample some VIP treatment

For a more relaxing experience at Chester Food and Drink Festival, why not book tickets for entry to the VIP area?

It’s hosted this year by Watergate Street based cocktail bar Liquor and Co., which is said by festival organisers to have “plenty of surprises up its sleeve” for attendees.

The VIP area is the perfect place to grab a drink and sit and watch the day go by.

See a line-up of leading chefs

Some well-known faces from the world of food and drink will be on hand to showcase their skills and techniques and provide plenty of culinary inspiration this year.

Nisha Katona MBE will take the stage on Saturday, April 16 while visitors on Sunday, April 17 can catch Laura Adlington in the festival kitchen. 

Then it will be the turn of Yes Chef winner and food consultant for M&S Food, Chris Baber to lead the line-up of demonstrators on Monday, April 18.

A marvellous mix of local chefs will also take part in demonstrations at Chester Food and Drink Festival this year. More names are still to be announced but the line-up so far includes:

• Stuart Collins, chef de patron of Docket No.33 and the 2021 regional winner of Great British Menu.
• Harry Guy, Roux scholar and executive chef patron of X by Harry Guy which is launching soon in Chester.
• Lisa and Rupert of All About the Green plant based cookery school.
• Nic Friar and Laszlo, the owner and head chef of Hypha who were awarded one of the first ever green Michelin stars.
• Rick Warrier, the cocktail aficionado behind many cocktail menus including Bar Lounge and Hickory’s Smokehouse.
• Lee Adams of Artezzan, New last year to Chester’s foodie scene, his mediterranean flavours and style have been huge hit.
• Darren and Andrew from the ever popular Faulkner in Hoole
• Danny Cronin from the racecourse’s own 1539
• Laura Billington from Graze Cheshire will be opening the show on the Saturday with her amazing Cheshire Grazing Board.
• Brian Mellor of Cheshire Chefs will be returning to the stage to talk about his new project.

Buy tickets and support a local charity

Tickets can now be pre-booked online for Chester Food and Drink Festival, starting from £10. Discounts are available for students and over 65s, and children under the age of 12 get free entry.

Anyone purchasing advance tickets can also support the festival’s local charity partner for this year, The Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Use the code SHEPHERD22 when buying the tickets online, and £1.50 from each booking will go directly to the the charity which supports families in West Cheshire and Deeside with specialist paliative care. The festival team will also be collecting donations for the charity on site during the event.

Chester Food and Drink Festival takes place from April 16-18. To find out more and book tickets, click here.