BRUMMIES can enjoy a feast of entertainment as Foodies Festival returns to one of Birmingham’s favourite visitor attractions.
More than 30,000 food-lovers are set to flock to picturesque Cannon Hill Park for the UK’s ‘biggest celebration of food, drink and live music’ from June 21-23.
Organisers promise to make this year’s event the ‘biggest and best’ with a star-studded array of culinary talent and top name bands.
Among them will be Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer and Birmingham’s Michelin Star restaurateur Glynn Purnell of My Kitchen Rules – affectionately known as the ‘Yummy Brummie.’
Simon Rimmer said: “Foodies Festival has really made its name as the UK’s best food and drink festival and I’m very excited to be joining this year’s line-up of exceptionally talented chefs in what’s set to be the best summer series of festivals yet.”
For a second year the festival will host the Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) celebrity music stage and extended opening times to hear bands play into the night.
Music-lovers can see leading Queen tribute band Flash and The Neville Staple Band. A Chic tribute band has today been added to the line-up also.
Joining them will be a host of emerging bands and soloists who will have foodies singing and dancing into the night.
Neville Staple said: “We’re rudies and foodies, so this is going to be a super party performance, with songs from my 40 year career anniversary as The Specials, Fun Boy Three, Special Beat and Rude Rebels.
“Be ready to eat good things, to dance, prance and smile, with Sugary Staple, the Neville Staple Band and me, the Original Rude Boy.”
Birmingham-based chefs cooking up a storm at this year’s event are Brad Carter, of the Michelin starred Carters of Moseley, James Waters of Three Church Road in Edgbaston, members of the team at canalside eatery Ju Ju’s Cafe, and Daksha Parekh of Surti by Chef D.
Also on the menu is Spanish celebrity chef Omar Allibhoy of the Tapas Revolution, nutritional therapist and the brains behind the website Wholefood Warrior Eva Humphries, Solihull-based private chef Jacques van der Merwe and Liam Dillon at The Boat Inn, Lichfield.
It’s the 5th event at Birmingham and organisers have a feast of family entertainment in store with more than 200 exhibitors and award-winning artisan producers.
Other attractions include a Street Food Village, Cakes and Desserts Theatre, Kids Cookery School, Healthy Living Area, Chef’s Theatre, Vegan Beer Tent and new Dog Arena with fun competitions as well as Food and Drink masterclasses and hilarious chilli-eating contests.
Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “We stage food festivals up and down the country and absolutely love coming to the Midlands.
“Warm-hearted Brummies give us such a wonderful welcome and for Cannon Hill Park, we have laid on our biggest programme of activities to date.”
MAH provides opportunities for up-coming talent while raising funds for UK homelessness charity Crisis.
Tickets, including VIP packages, are now on sale.
For every ticket sold, the festival will make a donation to the homeless cause. There will also be merchandise on sale giving a further boost to funds.