Bumper edition food line-up announced for Valley Fest

At Valley Fest (30th July – 1st August), food is just as important as the music, which is why we consider ourselves ‘the best-tasting music festival in the South West!’ This year we’ve got a bumper edition of delicious programming to share with you.

It’s been a challenging year for our farmers and food producers, who’ve worked around the clock to keep the country fed in the pandemic. In honour of their hard work and dedication, we want to make sure that this year’s festival celebrates the best local produce, the people who take the time to make it, and the chefs that put it on our plates.

We’ve got a brand spanking new chef demo theatre, we’ve introduced a live-fire stage for the first time, we’re giving you no less than six opportunities to feast with your friends and family, plus welcoming a delegation of youth food activists for a weekend of workshops about food and change. After all that, and more, both your body and mind will be fit to bursting!

 
Chef demonstrations

These will take place in our stunning new theatre. Over the weekend you can see: Great British Bake Off stars Chetna Makan and Briony May Williams; Rob Howell from Root Bristol; chef and author, Olia Hercules named Observer Food Monthly’s Rising Star of 2015.

 
Additionally, Tom Hunt, author of Eating for Pleasure, People & Planet, is on the bill along with TV’s Andy Clarke who will be highlighting some stunning ethical drinks producers. Not forgetting ‘Queen of the Bean’ food writer and chef, Jenny Chandler, who will be showing how kids can make easy dishes at home.

Live Fire Stage

New for this year: a live-fire stage! Showcasing the best ingredients from Wales and the South West, with plenty of laughs and delicious tasters to boot. The line up includes Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn from Hang Fire Southern Kitchen and Bristol chef Henry Eldon of The Cauldron Restaurant.

Plus eco-chef and UN World Food Programme Ambassador, Arthur Potts Dawson teaching us how to make the most of our summer vegetables. As we all look to eat less and better meat, Arthur makes veg the superstar of his delicious dishes. Choosing one seasonal vegetable, he will take us through three different dishes, utilising every part; root to fruit.

Feasts

The region’s culinary heroes and heroines will be cooking up a storm day and night in our spectacular dining marquee. Owner of the Michelin-starred Pony and Trap, Josh Eggleton, together with Rob Howell, Head Chef of Root, a Bib Gourmand award winner, will be making dishes from Rob’s new cookbook.  

While Toby Gritten of The Pumphouse Bristol, offers a very special Sunday lunch feast, with every ingredient on the plate sourced from within the Chew Valley. You’ll get the chance to meet the producers and hear more about the food you’re eating.

 
Tickets to the feasts can be bought via the website. Watch this space for Friday night and Saturday lunch feasts which are still to be announced.

 
Big Family Sunday BBQ

Back by popular demand! On Sunday, chefs of Bristol and the Chew Valley, will be whipping up a big Sunday lunch BBQ. Cooked over fire-bowls and combine-harvester bbqs(!) we’ll be supplying some of the highest quality meat in the South West.
 

Expect sides, slaws and meats of all variety. Plus, some epic vegetable roastery to accommodate all of our guests. Grab your ticket, follow your nose, get a box, and enjoy the view on a sunny afternoon.

All the meat is sourced from local high welfare farms in the Chew Valley including Luke’s own beef, pigs plus lamb from across the lake at Fernhill Farm. You don’t get much more local than this.

Food Foundation, Youth for Food Festival

Yeo Valley Organic, our principal festival partner, has always championed natural, healthy food for all. They’ve recently been invited to be a member of the End Child Food Poverty taskforce. And, as part of this association, have teamed up with The Food Foundation - an organisation set up to address the growing challenges facing the UK’s food system.

They’re providing an opportunity for 100 young people to develop their understanding of food systems, their advocacy and their campaigning skills at this year’s festival.  The two-day event is called the Youth 4 Food Festival and the full programme, which can be found on the website, will include lively debates, inspiring stories, and exciting innovations, as well as a Saturday night Disco Soup party!

Sessions will see their peers and partners from different countries joining the discussion via live video links. On Sunday, they will launch the Actions 4 Change, which has been developed with other young people across the world. It will be launched at the UN Food Systems Summit, which is due to take place in New York in September.

Luke Hasell, Valley Fest Founder says: “This is the tastiest food line up we've ever had. We're showcasing food that's been produced through regenerative farming methods. This puts soil health first so that not only do we produce more nutritious and delicious food, we’re locking in carbon, helping to tackle climate change.

When people understand this, they can decide whether they want to be part of the solution or part of the problem, three times a day! We want people to understand the connection between their food choices and the land.”
 

Expect treats, beats and plenty to eat with lots of Somerset style and sizzle. 

Adult weekend tickets are £175

Website: https://www.valleyfest.co.uk