In a month, Stone will host its annual celebration of all things food & drink as the town’s Westbridge Park is transformed into the Stone Food & Drink Festival.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the event switched to an online format but for 2021 organisers have pulled together a packed programme of live cookery demos, talks, tastings, live music, street food, artisan food stalls and family fun, all designed to delight food lovers. The festival will run from the 1st – 3rd October with activities leading up to the main event!
Among the companies showing their support for the not-for-profit event is lead sponsor Joule’s Brewery, which will bring its own ‘pop-up pub’ to the festival to celebrate the launch of its new Crown Wharf taphouse in Stone. In addition, Lexus Stoke is again supporting the festival by sponsoring the demonstration kitchen and the live music stage.
The demonstration kitchen will see no less than thirteen talented chefs with links to Staffordshire take the stage. This year’s line-up includes Stuart Collins of Docket No.33 in Whitchurch – who made it through to the final of this year’s Great British Menu – Stone born and bred Rosanna Moseley, who became a household name on the 2016 edition of Masterchef: The Professionals and now heads up the kitchen at The Oyster Club in Birmingham and Thom Bateman of The Flintlock, Cheddleton – also executive chef and content creator for Jack Whitehall’s food page. Other talented local chefs on the bill include Allan Jones of A la Carte at Home, Cris Cohen of FeastED, Jame Chapman and Lee Lawson from Aston Marina’s No.26 restaurant, Luca Bellomusto from The Moat House, Acton Trussell; Jake Lowndes of Stone’s Little Seeds, Chris Alexander from The Tawny in Consall, iCookIndian’s Amarpal Harrar, Stuart Bruce from The Red Lion Inn, Bradley and Zalena Vandrewala of Rose Petals & Rice.
Festival Chairman, Richard Stevens, said:
“Not running the festival last year was a difficult – but unavoidable – decision, but this year we are confident that, by working closely with all authorities involved, the event will be back – as enjoyable as ever – yet in a manner that is COVID-safe.
“After almost 2 years of being unable to attend events like ours, our wonderful traders need your support more than ever – and the same goes for Staffordshire’s fantastic bars, pubs and restaurants. The 2021 festival is, as ever, about celebrating and supporting food and drink producers and the hospitality industry; providing a platform for them to promote what they do so well while helping bring visitors – and their money – into Stone to boost local traders while giving food lovers a great time. We can’t wait to see you there!”
In addition to watching great local chefs, visitors will enjoy live music on the Lexus Music Stage and Talks & Tastings sessions on topics ranging from fermentation to wine and beer tastings. There will also be plenty of family fun with the Panic Family Circus big top, fairground rides and milkshake making and other crafty activities thanks to volunteers from Oulton First School PTFA. Alongside the main event on Westbridge Park, local shops, bars and restaurants have rallied to put on a strong show of events and special offers throughout the festival week – including Lymestone Brewery’s famous ‘Chilli Off’ competition which will kick-start festivities on Friday 24th September.
Entry to the Stone Food & Drink Festival is £10pp per day (accompanied under-16s go free) or £9 in advance online with concessions on Friday only at £5pp with valid NUS or bus pass ID. For the full programme and details of other food festival-related events and to book tickets, head to www.stonefooddrink.org.uk
