Not satisfied with a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs and foot-stomping music, the UK’s biggest food and drink festival, the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, has upped the ante by adding more than 1,000 fun food, drink, and family activities to its weekend schedule.
Taking place from 21st to 23rd July 2023 at Funkirk Farm Skipton, this three-day festival aims to keep visitors entertained from dawn to dusk with a smorgasbord of activities. With over 300 workshops and masterclasses, 50+ celebrity and Michelin chef demonstrations, 300 stall holders, and hundreds of activities for kids and adults alike, attendees will be spoiled for choice.
At just £23 for a standard day ticket and £50 for a standard weekend ticket, the festival offers amazing value for money. Families with children aged 0-7 can attend for free, making it an ideal event for a fun-filled family outing. For those looking to make a weekend of it, camping under the stars is an option, with prices starting from £75 for the weekend.
Visitors can enjoy a wide array of experiences at the festival. Picture yourself having a pint outside the big red Yorkshire bus, nibbling on the world’s best cheese, Le Gruyère. Imagine sipping a morning cuppa outside your tent with daisies between your toes, all while enjoying the breathtaking view of The Dales. You can also sip fizz in the VIP lounge, take a donkey ride, shop till you drop at the Artisan markets, giggle with friends, dance the night away under the moonlit sky, and create wonderful family memories.
Rachael Higgins, the founder of the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, expressed her excitement, stating, “Our festival is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, and this year will be bigger, better, and even more fun. We’ve tailored a huge schedule of workshops and masterclasses alongside chef demos, tastings, music to dance to, shopping, a funfair, kids farm, and even a giant sandpit! Come for the food, stay for the music, and leave with memories to last a lifetime. A delicious adventure awaits you in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.”
Indulge in a variety of tipples at the festival, including a free Beer & Food Pairing workshop by Timothy Taylor’s expert beer sommelier, Annabel Smith. Join the Make-up and Martini masterclass from Charlotte Tilbury, where you can get style tips while sipping a Dutch Barn Vodka Martini. Gin enthusiasts can explore the offerings of Hooting Owl or Yorkshire Explorer Distillery for a tasting experience.
Food lovers will be delighted with the assortment of culinary adventures available. Learn how to make a chilli cheese paratha with the Shikshak Indian Cookery School, create a summer grazing board with OhMyGraze, or enjoy a selection of cheeses paired with unexpected drinks guided by Homage2Fromage.
Children will also have a blast with various activities such as Soccer Hub, Kanga Sports, a chocolate-making session with York Cocoa Works, and a kids pizza-making class. Additionally, they can participate in the Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft session to learn how to make their own wooden gifts or join the Willsow Paint and Plant workshop to decorate plant pots and fill them with wildflowers. Softpots will showcase how to upcycle and create sustainable planters.
For those interested in unique libations, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka will offer tasting experiences throughout the weekend, where visitors can learn about their apple distilling process and sample their delicious creations. And if you’re in the mood for live music, join the Bloom & Crown workshop to craft your own festival flower crown with Flower Shack.
In addition to celebrity chefs James Martin, the Hairy Bikers, and Gino D’Acampo appearing in the Gruyere Big Top Theatre Kitchen, Yorkshire’s own Stephanie Moon will host the AA Rosette Chef stage. This stage will feature renowned chefs such as Michelin-star chef Galton Blackiston from Morston Hall, Jonny Little, development chef for Tommy Banks’ Made in Olstead, and Ruth Hansom Rigby, head chef at Swinton Park.
Lidl, a proud sponsor of the festival, will provide delicious food, top-quality Deluxe wines, and exciting cooking demonstrations. Early birds can enjoy fresh croissants and orange juice at the Breakfast Club for just £1, with all proceeds going to their charity partner, the NSPCC. During the day, visitors can relax at Lidl’s Grill and Chill area, basking in the sun while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine and sampling a selection from its summer food range. Belvoir Farm will host cocktail Mixology sessions, and a Dessert stage will be available for those with a sweet tooth.
The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, a family-owned event and the largest of its kind in the UK, offers an exceptional experience beyond a typical food and drink festival. With an extensive range of workshops and masterclasses, both paid and free, there is something to suit everyone’s interests. Paid-for sessions can be booked in advance on the festival’s website.
For more information about the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival and to book tickets, please visit www.yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com.
