London food festivals 2017
Food festivals are fast becoming as popular as music festivals. One of the UK’s biggest and most highly regarded food gatherings, Taste of London, attracts over 55,000 people, which is only 15,000 less than Reading and Leeds Festival and an enormous 30,000 more people than Wireless Festival! London now has an array of food festivals that take place across the capital, offering mouth-watering treats to suit everyone, whether you’re a self-confessed carnivore or dedicated vegan.
Taste of London 14-18 June
Taking place in Regent’s Park, Taste of London is the annual coming together of the capital's best restaurants, top chefs and leading food and drinks brands. With over 55,000 people in attendance, this is one of London's biggest food events, where food lovers can sample taster-size signature dishes from the city's most exciting eateries and watch world-class chefs in live cooking demonstrations.
Wimbledon Park Food and Drink Festival 26-28 August
Wimbledon Park Food and Drink Festival is a family-friendly event that takes place in the beautiful Wimbledon Park in South West London. Now in its fourth year, this festival will feature a plethora of delicious food from up to 50 stall holders, as well as lots of activities for children aimed to get them cooking. On Saturday the event will stay open late with craft beers, cider and gin to sample.
Meatopia 1-3 September
If you are a meat lover, this is the food festival for you! Think butchers, artisans, BBQ, fire pits and spits. Top chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi, and the BBC Food and Farming award winners Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn from the Hangfire Smokehouse in Cardiff, will be showing off their skills at Wapping’s Tobacco Dock. Each day, up to 25 chefs will cook up a bespoke tasting dish over a real fire right in front of you.
Vegfest London 21-22 October
Vegfest is the UK’s biggest vegan event! Taking place in Kensington Olympia, Vegfest is not just about food, it is also about the issues surrounding the food we eat. Highlights of this year’s event will include live cooking demos from leading chefs, comedy, advice on being a vegan athlete and an environmental and food sustainability summit.
Taste of London: The Festive Edition (dates TBC)
Known as the little brother of Taste of London (see above), The Festive Edition takes place in Tobacco Dock in East London. Taste of London: The Festive Edition is a celebration of food at Christmas time, where the venue is transformed into a winter wonderland. Festivalgoers can enjoy cake decorating and cupcake piping workshops, as well as sampling great food from across the British Isles and beyond. Celebrity chefs will be demonstrating their culinary skills at the live kitchen, and for those that can't resist a Christmas tipple, there are a number of bar events to enjoy.
Are you or your restaurant taking part in a food festival and need to hire some catering equipment? Allens Hire can help! You can hire barbecues, gas powered ovens and kitchen equipment for outdoor cooking to deliver mouth-watering dishes.. Contact us today!
