By Donna Richardson
The Foodies Festival brought together a delightful mix of exciting flavours, sights, and smells, showcasing over scores of food stalls along with entertainment from TV celebrity chef demonstrations in the grounds of Wollaton Park – a stunning stately home where deer roam freely in the grounds.
On Friday night, The Wanted 2.0 performed, and Saturday featured a lively DJ set by the legendary Judge Jules, followed by a performance from the nineties band Blue. There was truly something for everyone.
As our daughter is a massive fan of The Great British Bake Off, we rushed straight to the baking tent. Our first stop was the Prept Kids Cook School, where Amelia got to chop and mix ingredients to create a delicious couscous salad. She was in her element, fully immersing herself in this new skill. After that, we explored the various food options available at the festival. Our eight-year-old decided she wanted pizza, so we headed to a stall offering wood-fired pizzas. My partner, John, played it safe with a hot dog, while I opted for a tikka biryani. With so many tempting options—paella, Greek dishes, and Mexican food—it was a tough choice, but I was happy with my selection.
The Cake & Bake Theatre. Hayley Tully from Great British Bake Off: The Professionals hosted the event, where she and other notable bakers, including Lorena Moloney and future Great British Bake Off contestants Andy Ryan and John Mincher, stirred things up in the kitchen. Later, Ellie Wharrad of Studio Chocolate ended the session on a sweet note.
There were also plenty of bars and cocktail spots to keep us refreshed. One particular cocktail caught my eye: it was served in a pineapple, deliciously refreshing, and the inside was edible as well. I ordered a strawberry daiquiri for myself and a mocktail for my daughter. We then made our way to the stage to enjoy the live music.
Festival-goers could also participate in hands-on experiences at the La Española Chefs Theatre. Nigel Barden, host of BBC Radio London, introduced a variety of chefs, including Ritchie Stainsby from MasterChef: The Professionals 2024. The Nigel Brown International Cook School held regular classes, teaching attendees how to prepare high-class dishes such as Lobster Basil & Lemon Risotto, Thai Red Curry with Chicken, and Moroccan Harissa Spiced Lamb with Golden Saffron Couscous. This was at a supplementary cost but added a luxury experience to the day.
Additionally, the BBQ Stage featured Lumberjaxe, with dishes such as fire-cooked Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta, hot buffalo chicken tacos with Pico de Gallo, Planked Moonshine Chalk Stream Trout with Mango Salsa, Smokehouse Tomahawk Steak with Cowboy Butter and Potatoes, and Backyard Hunter’s Chicken Nachos. In the drinks theatre, guests enjoyed a beer masterclass, a fizz masterclass, and talks from experts such as Doña Paula and Joe Wadsack, who introduced Argentinian Malbec and Cocchi vermouth, respectively.
Throughout the day, there were performances by Ben Mark Smith, Macey O’Neill, Demi Jordanae, Waiting Forever, The Vows, and Funk Odyssey. The Vows, from Stoke-on-Trent, opened with “Let Me Entertain You” and then went on to play hits from The Darkness, Wheatus, and many more, sandwiched between Funk Odyssey, which brought old-school vibes to the park, playing Motown, Northern Soul, and Disco.
The highlight of the night was Blue, who had us all on our feet. I felt a surge of nostalgia, remembering how their debut single, “All Rise,” came out in 2001, which was 24 years ago. They also had a hit with “One Love,” as well as collaborations with Sir Elton John and Stevie Wonder, before splitting in 2005 and reuniting in 2011. The atmosphere was charged as people waved their hands in the air and enjoyed the music, with our daughter on our shoulders. We really enjoyed the day out as a family. Overall, it was a fantastic day out for our whole family, and the festival was conveniently located not too far from home.
Other Food Festivals in The East Midlands
Leicester Food Festival 9-10 August – Featuring tributes by Stereophonics, Steps and Queen
Eat in the Park – Chesterfield Music and Food Queens Park 10 -11 August 10.30am until 5pm
Festival of Food and Drink at Thoresbury Hall 20-21 September
East Midlands Food Festival 4 – 5 October Melton Mowbray, 4-5 October 10am until 4pm in Stockyard Halls
