Chefs are sharing equal billing with musicians at a host of festivals this summer. We take a look at some.
It seems music alone isn’t enough to sell many of this summer’s festivals. Food and star name chefs are fast taking joint billing with the headliners on the main stage. We look at why and where to find food at festivals over the coming months.
How festivals have changed
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw music festivals surge in popularity. Glastonbury became as much of a summer institution as Trooping The Colour, Ascot, Wimbledon and the Edinburgh Festival.
As more and more people went to festivals, so more and more festivals sprung up.
At the same time, some long-standing festivalgoers became disillusioned by the crowds and increased commercial overtones of the bigger festivals. The increase in festivals also led to more and more identikit events across the nation, often featuring the same bands.
And so a new type of festival sprung up – the boutique festival. Some were organised by some of those disillusioned folk. The ethos was different to the ‘pile em high’ philosophy of the big mainstream weekenders. Fewer tickets were available and there was a focus not just on music but on comedy, theatre, opera – and food.
These festivals moved away from the ubiquitous burger vans and noodle stands; instead, they had fresh, tasty, often local food on sale.
Here are some of the festivals that have put the food artisans up there with the artistes:
Rock Oyster Festival
Seafood and song meet at this annual midsummer celebration on a Cornish farm.
Who’s appearing (music): Charlotte Church, Dub Pistols, The Bees
Who’s appearing (food): Paul Ainsworth, James Nathan and many other local chefs
When: 22-24 June
Where: Dinham House, Cornwall
More info: www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk
Grillstock
“Music, meat and mayhem” is how the organisers describe this barbecue and Deep South jamboree down by the water in Bristol.
Who’s appearing (music): Alabama 3, Charles Bradley and the Extradordinaires
Who’s appearing (food): Some of the hottest chillis on earth in the Chilli Eating competition, BBQ Academy, King of the Grill competition and more
When: 30 June-1 July
Where: Bristol Harbourside
More info: grillstock.co.uk
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Festival On The Farm
You can enjoy food from the farm as you watch a mix of covers and local bands.
Who’s appearing (music): tributes to the Police, The Who, Foo Fighters and others plus local and national bands
Who’s appearing (food): three menus a day of farm produce
When: 21-22 July
Where: Purton House Farm, Wiltshire
More info: www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk
Camp Bestival
This family-friendly festival has added a Young British Foodies Tent, where you can take your pick from a load of offerings.
Who’s appearing (music): Happy Mondays, Hot Chip, Rolf Harris
Who’s appearing (food): lots of young British foodies
When: 26-29 July
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
More info: www.campbestival.net
Cock & Bull Festival
An intimate offering promising good music and home-cooked festival to raise money for a children’s charity.
Who’s appearing (music): King Porter Stomp, Cut A Shine
Who’s appearing (food): local food, beer and cider
When: 27-29 July
Where: a secret location near Bath
More info: cockandbullfestival.co.uk
Wilderness
The foodie names definitely share the billing with the music (and the films and parties) at this festival in Oxfordshire parkland.
Who’s appearing (music): Rodrigo y Gabriela, Wilco, Spiritualized
Who’s appearing (food): Fergus Henderson & St John, Yotam Ottolenghi and Valentine Warner will be holding banquets and there will be loads of food stalls.
When: 10-12 August
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
More info: www.wildernessfestival.com
The Big Feastival
Jamie Oliver presents this mash-up of music and food on Blur bass player and cheesemaker Alex James’ farm.
Who’s appearing (music): Paloma Faith, Texas, Razorlight, Guillemots
Who’s appearing (food): Jamie Oliver (natch), Mark Hix, Theo Randall and “the UK’s best restaurants and bars”.
When: 1-2 September
Where: Alex James’ farm, Oxfordshire
More info: www.jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival/
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