The BBC Good Food Festival is back for its 2nd year and will be held once again in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace over the August Bank Holiday weekend. In Hampton Court's 500th's anniversary year it promises to be a highlight of the Palace's summer calendar and a day full of fun and inspiration for all the family.
The festival will be the perfect summer treat, offering opportunities to sample great food and drink while visiting the historic palace and its glorious gardens. With over 100 individually handpicked artisan producers and companies, offering a wide and interesting mix of food and drink available, some of which are only available to buy at food shows and festivals. Look out for Vallebona Sardinian Gourmet, selling both sweet and savoury Italian foods, PS Lambis, a Cypriot olive oil producer and The Cotswold Distillery selling their exceptional malt whiskeys and gins.
A highlight of the festival centres on the new 400 seat Summer Kitchen theatre playing host to a fanstastic line-up of celebrity chefs and experts. Book a seat now to avoid missing out on watching Michel Roux Jr., Paul Hollywood, Hemsley + Hemsley and many more, all cooking their favourite summer dishes live on stage. Also new for this year, the Interview Stage, where all the chefs share their top tips!
Once again the BBC Good Food Festival has teamed up with local and critically acclaimed Richmond upon Thames restaurant the Bingham. The Bingham team will be serving up a delicious selection of taster dishes from their Pop-Up Restaurant, creating summer cocktails and offering a selection of fine wines and champagne from the Bingham Bar.
Enjoy fantastic live music all day every day! From the sassy trio of singers The Polka Dots, to the classic brass quintet Riverside Brass Ensemble playing from the bandstand. So grab a deckchair, sit back and soak up the atmosphere and the music in the palace gardens. For all ages, have a go at circus skills, decorate a biscuit, compete in the sports day style races and much more.
In celebration of Hampton Court's 500th anniversary, a series of 'Time Plays', exploring the palace's fascinating past, will be performed throughout the splendid state rooms. Meanwhile, in the Tudor kitchens, Hampton Court's team of historic chefs will be cooking up a storm, roasting meat on the great fire and creating a meal fit for a King!
Laura Biggs, Managing Director of River Street Events comments, “We are delighted to host the BBC Good Food Festival in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace. Last year was such an overwhelming success and this year we will welcome more exhibitors and great entertainment from renowned chefs and cooks – cooking live in our new Summer Kitchen theatre.”
Paul Gray, Director of Hampton Court Palace said, “We're thrilled to be welcoming the BBC Good Food Festival back to the palace for a second year, following an enormously successful inaugural event in 2014. In Hampton Court's 500th anniversary year, it seems fitting that we should continue the long tradition of feasting at the palace with a festival that promises to be even bigger than the last one. We look forward to welcoming visitors to join in the celebrations.”
