The popular free Food Festival is returning to Stratford this September – the first festival to be held in town since the pandemic started
Fantastic food and drink in all its glorious forms will be on offer on September 18 and 19, in a series of events on Bridge Street, High Street and Henley Street.
This year there will be a strong local flavour, with over 50% of stalls locally based, as well as cookery demonstrations and workshops in Bell Court.
Loxleys Restaurant and Wine Bar will once again be the main sponsor. Restaurant director Jonathan Lea said:
“We’re delighted to be back as the main sponsor of the food festival in Stratford. It’s a great event for the town and one we’ve supported for several years. We’re also glad to be able to announce our support over the next year for Lifespace, a local children’s charity – something very close to our heart as a family-run business. Lifespace provides one-to-one mentoring for children and young people in the Stratford on Avon area to reduce distress, build resilience and enable them to achieve more.”
On the menu at this year’s event are demonstrations including cocktail making from The Fourteas, as well as a host of other classes from MOR Bakery, The Woodsman, Shakespeare Distillery, Stratford Music Café, Diana’s Tearoom and Loxleys.
Festival-goers can also get their teeth into pizza-throwing fun from Pizza Express and workshops with The Spotted Treehouse, Roly’s Fudge Pantry and local wine merchant Vin Neuf.
Tor Wilkes, Marketing and Events Manager for Stratforward BID, which organises the event, said:
“We are very much looking forward to the Festival to highlight Stratford’s vibrant food and drink scene and encourage people back to town. This has been a tough time for most, especially for hospitality businesses, and we’re urging everyone to come out in force and give support.
Preparations for the food festival are Covid considerate and will be fully compliant with Covid restrictions. Taste and Ale Tails will not take place due to Covid considerations.
We are closely watching government advice and liaising with the local authorities to ensure a safe enjoyable event. Security will be on hand for added reassurance.”
Interesting stalls to take note of this year include the exceptional MOR Bakery, Barry the Butcher, The Shakespeare Distillery, Cosy Chic Pet Boutique, and the food category winner of the National Youth Market Final, as well as many local producers.
To keep up to date please follow @stratforward on Instagram and Facebook or visit the website www.stratfordtowncentrefoodfestival.co.uk
Press release written by Karen Welsh on behalf of Stratforward. Please contact 07969 992416, karenpwelsh@gmail.com with any queries.
Photo Loxley: Restaurant director Jonathan Lea, Stratforward BID Marketing and Events Manager Tor Wilkes, Lifespace CEO Rachel Key, and Loxleys waitress Lauren Sanghera
Notes to editors:
- Stratforward is Stratford’s Business Improvement District (BID) which represents 420 shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and businesses in Stratford town centre – www.stratforward.co.uk
- Keep up with Stratford’s latest news and get the inside track! Follow on Instagram and Facebook
- The Food Festival is run in partnership with Cotswold Markets who will manage all traders. Cotswold Markets
- Loxleys is a family-run, two-floor restaurant and bar on Sheep Street in Stratford-upon-Avon. Serving creative British cuisine seven days a week, it has become recognised as one of the top restaurants in Stratford. Find out more at www.loxleysrestaurant.co.uk or Facebook.com/LoxleysRestaurant
- Local charity Lifespace Trust | We mentor young people to reduce stress, build resilience and achieve more
