Summer is fading fast but the UK foodie calendar shows no signs of slowing down. We’ve picked five of the best food festivals to visit in September so that you can plan your next gourmet road trip!
Brighton & Hove Autumn Food & Drink Festival – 4-14September
If you missed out on the Easter event, head to Brighton this month for 11 days of market shopping, wine tasting, local chef demos, gourmet bus tours and lots more. There’s a food festival for kids on Hove Lawns this weekend and on September 10th, Hotel du Vin is hosting a Taste of Game wine supper in their bistro. Brighton Restaurant Week runs from September 9th to 13th so look out for special menus and offers from restaurants like GB1, Sam’s of Brighton and Graze.
Ludlow Food Festival – 12-14 September
For over 20 years, Ludlow has showcased more than 160 local food producers in its historic castle grounds. This year’s highlights include talks and demos from local celeb chef Marcus Bean and MasterChef’s Tim Anderson, wine and food tastings, brewery tours, and food trails showcasing local ales, bread and sausages. There’s live music throughout the weekend and plenty for kids to do too.
Manchester Food & Drink Festival – 18-29 September
Now in its 18th year, Manchester’s food festival runs for 11 days with events taking place all over the city. The 2014 line-up includes live music, a street food festival, a Malaysian bazaar, the Big Indie Wine Fest, and a new Cheese and Chocolate Festival. The festival hub will also host a cook-off with former footballer Gary Neville who is set to open Hotel Football opposite Old Trafford later this year.
Liverpool Food & Drink Festival – 19-21 September
Tom Kerridge and Yotam Ottolenghi (NOPI) will join more than 160 local chefs and producers at this year’s festival in leafy Sefton Park. Visitors can dine at the Pickled Walnut’s pop-up gastropub, watch chef demos, do some shopping in the Market Place and Heavenly Chocolate area, and decorate cupcakes in the Kids Zone. Make sure you come hungry because top local eateries like Lunya, Bem Brasil, Mayur, and Malmaison Brasserie will be serving their signature dishes in the Restaurant Arena.
Eat The World Street Food Festival, London – 26-28 September
At the end of the month, the Real Food Festival team are hosting a weekend of international street food on the banks of the Thames. The Southbank festival celebrates London’s diverse street food community so expect a mix of cuisines and cultures, plus three bars selling wine, craft beer and cocktails. This year you can try jerk chicken, paella, Fish Dogs, dosas, gelato, churros, pizza and lots more. Look out for two of our favourites – the Bleecker St burger team and Donostia Social Club, who serve delicious Basque pintxos at a bar on the side of their van.
Looking for a food festival near you? Check out Food Festival Finder’s top September events.
