LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS WITH FOOD, DRINK AND FIRE  

Iconic Food and Drink Festival Plays Host to British Fire Cooking Championships

Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15^th September 2024

Ludlow Castle, Ludlow, Shropshire

Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival is marking the 30^th edition of the original food festival, held at Ludlow Castle on 13^th – 15^th September.  This vibrant three-day celebration highlights the Marches region’s rich heritage of great food and drink, from quality growers and producers. With a broad and exciting range of exhibitors to explore, keen food lovers can discover new flavours and stock up on exclusive products to inspire their home cooking. In a time when provenance is everything, this festival offers the opportunity to discover the stories behind the food and champion British producers at their best.

This year marks a milestone in the Festival’s history; from the seed of a simple yet revolutionary idea back in the 1990s – to a thriving and diverse festival in its 30^th year.  All whilst inviting visitors to explore Ludlow’s rich array of shops, restaurants, and pubs. What is still clear today is that the Ludlow Food Festival is a must-visit event for food lovers across the nation and has earned its reputation.

This year the event will be welcoming TV presenter and writer Kate Humble, whose ‘Escape to the Farm’ returned to Channel 5 last month with its 3^rd series. Kate will be on the Outer Bailey Demonstration Stage on Saturday 14^th September, and judging the famous sausage trail entries!

Kate says:

‘I’m delighted to be taking part in the Ludlow Food Festival this year, and celebrating 30 delicious years of championing the best independent producers, retailers and cooks.’

Excitement is building in and around Ludlow, with organisers preparing for a memorable weekend. Festival operations lead Jess Parker says:

“We are really looking forward to the 30th edition of Ludlow Food Festival in September 2024! Preparations are well underway; we’ve got exciting aspects returning and new ones in the pipeline ready and waiting to be announced. It’s going to be one big celebration of food and drink!”

For this special year the Festival plays host to the British Fire Cooking Championships in association with Kadai Firebowls and Love Logs. The fiery, live competition is running across the three days, and sees contestants battling it out in a series of themed cooking challenges on stage. It culminates on Sunday 15^th September with the final two contestants going head-to-head for place in prestigious World Fire Food Championships in Indianapolis (travel included) and a range of fire cooking accessories.

Festival sponsor and competition organiser Love Logs says;

“Love Logs and Kadai Firebowls are so excited to be hosting the first-ever British Live Fire Cooking Championship, we can’t wait to see what the contestants come up with! Ludlow Food Festival is the perfect venue with their awesome Fire Stage and focus on quality ingredients whilst also supporting local businesses”

Visitors will be able to watch a dynamic and varied range of live cookery demonstrations, talks and tastings across three stages from a range of top chefs, writers and producers. Each stage has its own unique atmosphere, from the intimate ‘Talks and Tastings’ in the Castle Gardens, to the demo kitchen of the Outer Bailey Demonstration Stage, and the immersive Fire Stage, bringing fun, fire and flavour to the Inner Bailey.

Highlights of the guest line-up so far include:

Internationally acclaimed MasterChef The Professionals finalist Oliva Burt

Fire chef Genevieve Taylor of Bristol Fire School

Itamar and Sarit Packer – the talented duo behind Honey & Co

Mike Warner of A Passion for Seafood

Burger aficionado Anthony Murphy ‘Murf’ from The Beefy Boys

Karan Gokani, co-founder and creative director of Hoppers London

Sam Evans and Shana Guinn of Hangfire, and BBC One’s Sam and Shauna’s Big Cookout

Saku Chandrasekara and Nicki Laceby of The Great British Bake Off

Ivan Tisdall-Downes of Native at Pensons

Inspiring home-grown chef Harry Bullock of Evatt & Bullock Co.

Food historian Dr Neil Buttery

The Flygerians – sisters Jess and Jo who are bringing the sweet taste of Nigeria to the streets of London

Michelin Star chef and restaurant consultant Shaun Hill

Food writer and chef Claire Thomson (5 o’Clock Apron)

Local Fire Chef Adam Markham, of Kadai Firebowls

This year sees the return of the popular ‘Bake in Time’ a series of fun interactive sessions with Great British Bake Off favourites including Sandy Docherty, plus local bakers. There will be plenty more opportunities to get hands-on with a range of activities including the famous sausage trail around the centre of Ludlow, plus a brand-new programme for children, curated by ReachOut Arts and local Slow Food Person of the Year – Steve Guy (AKA The Hungry Guy).

Slow Food Ludlow and Marches will be hosting a series of taste workshops in the Castle’s Beacon Rooms showcasing locally produced tasting plates. Booking details will be available on the Ludlow Food Festival website soon.

The Castle will once again come alive ‘after hours’ with a late-night street food, bar and DJ sets and a spectacular Fire Feast prepared by the chefs at the Festival. Tickets for these events will be available on the Ludlow Food festival website later this summer.

Ludlow Marches Food & Drink also organises the popular Ludlow Magnalonga food walk on Sunday 11^th August. This delicious ramble takes walkers on a guided 8-mile trail through the rolling Shropshire countryside, which also showcases locally produced food and drink. Now in its 21st year, this event is inspired by a tradition in Ludlow’s twin town of San Pietro in Cariano, Italy.

To be the first to hear news about Ludlow Marches Food & Drink events this summer, including ticket releases for feasts, trails and workshops, sign up to the newsletter here.