Shrewsbury Food Festival will return to the Quarry on June 27th and 28th. It has won ‘Festival of the Year’ at the West Midlands Tourism Awards for the last three years running, and was recently nominated for the Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards after winning Food/Drink Festival of the Year at last year’s ceremony.

The Quarry will transform on the last weekend in June to host foodie, family fun with top chefs leading demonstrations, 180 food, drink and home stalls, a live music stage, a family entertainment stage, street food, bars, and a kids’ area where all activities are free.

This year’s lineup on the Cheese Wedge Chef Demo Stage includes Nick Bennett from Old Downton Lodge – who recently reached the finals of MasterChef: The Professionals, Stuart Collins from Docket Restaurant, Adam Purnell – The Shropshire Lad from Embers Café, Tat Effby – The Caketoonist, who has released a new book: ‘Bake Your Sweet Time’, and James Sherwin from Wild Shropshire, who appeared on Great British Menu earlier this year. 

Samuel Widnall aka The Cruffin Man of Widnall Bakery in Oswestry will be demonstrating at the festival for the first time. Samuel will be the first deaf chef to appear on the Chef Demo Stage, and a British Sign Language interpreter will be on stage throughout the demonstration.

There will be the chance to get hands-on and sample food at the Monks Teach and Taste Stage, which is being run in partnership with Shrewsbury Food Hub to promote ways to reduce food waste.

The Kitchen Depot Kids Cook Along returns, led by the local team from Heartleys By Katie for cupcake fun, pizza swirls, scone making, and more. You can book a place in advance on the website.

New this year will be a sports area where you can discover a new hobby such as fencing, cheerleading, pickleball or rugby. The area sponsor, Nuffield, will be offering free health MOTs on their stand.

Bands will be performing on the Special Cider Company Live Music Stage all weekend, including Dirty Rockin Scoundrels, Midnight Symphony, Ego Friendly, Radio Rumours, and Hot Rox. Country singer-songwriter, Ryan Evans, will be making his Shrewsbury Food Festival debut on Sunday, June 28th at 1.45pm.

After the success of last year’s evening concert, the Saturday of the festival will be opening late again, until 8.30pm, with cheaper evening-only tickets available. The evening concert will host Something 4 The Weekend and Skaburst who will close the festival with their high energy performances.

Shropshire Rural Support has been announced as this year’s festival charity. The charity will be raising awareness and funds in the Field to Fork Area, where the food and agriculture sectors are celebrated with engaging, hands-on activities in partnership with Harper Adams University.

Butternut Box will be providing a Dog Welfare Area with some shelter and water for four-legged friends; there is a feeding and baby change area from Tiny Swimming; and Base Architects is sponsoring a VIP area which provides premium facilities and a view of the live music stage. Paycare will be providing facilities for the volunteers at the event.

Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals said, “We’re proud to bring Shrewsbury an award-winning festival which offers something for everyone, and we’ve worked hard to evolve this event each and every year over the last 13 years. With two stages of live entertainment, two chef stages, a whole area of free kids’ activities, a Field to Fork Area, street food, bars, and amazing products from tonnes of local businesses, you will enjoy a packed day of fun from the Shropshire Festivals team.

“Local events can only continue with your support, so please come and join us in the Quarry at the end of June.”

Shrewsbury Food Festival will take place on June 27th and 28th in the Quarry. Find out more and buy tickets at www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk