Foodies Festival Christmas comes to Harrogate

Harrogate’s International Centre will be transformed into a culinary winter wonderland, 11-13th November, as Foodies Festival Christmas brings Yorkshire’s top chefs, award-winning artisan producers and international street food together under one roof for a fabulous festive feast.

Festival founder Sue Hitchen said... 'We are delighted to return to Harrogate with our winter instalment. We had such a great time with our summer festival in August and received wonderful feedback from visitors.'

Acclaimed chefs from Yorkshire and across the UK and celebrity cooks will swap their aprons for Santa hats in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre, sharing their favourite recipes and top tips to help visitors create the perfect Christmas banquet. Confirmed chefs include (more TBA):

Murray Wilson – Norse
Lionel Strub – The Clarendon Hotel
Louis Troyano - Great British Bake Off
Yves Quemerais – Home
Ashely Kelly McCarthy - Ye Old Sunn Inn
Martyn Hyde – Eat me Café
Rachel Green – TV Chef
Jackie Kearney – MasterChef Finalist 2011
Saira Hamilton – small aubergine

Retro Recipes in the Chefs Theatre will transport festival-goers back in time to the 1960s when green piped potato, glacé cherries and multi-coloured cheese and jellies were all the rage. Inspired by infamous TV chef Fanny Cradock, several chefs will recreate classic recipes such as the Prawn Cocktail, Baked Alaska, Sherry Trifle, Chicken Kiev, Vol-au-vents and Duck a l’Orange in their own signature style.

An Artisan Christmas Market boasts over 150 of Yorkshire's finest producers selling locally produced cheeses, chutneys, chocolates, sauces and jams, biscuits and crackers, cakes, puddings and more for visitors to sample and shop from; perfect for picking-up those little extras that make Christmas extra tasty and special.

A Vegan area in the Christmas Market offers a range of delicious and healthy vegan, veggie and gluten-free treats for visitors to indulge in including desserts, street food, bakes, condiments, beers, wines and more. 

Yorkshire Gin Theatre - Gin lovers will rejoice as local gin producers, including Masons Yorkshire Gin, host daily Christmas Gin Cocktail masterclasses. Wine experts Charles Metcalfe and Neil Philips are also on-hand helping visitors match wines with Christmas flavours in the Drinks Theatre and beer expert Melissa Cole champions craft beers as an alternative to wine and champagne this Christmas in masterclasses with local brewers. 

Other features of the festival include a Street Food Village where visitors can feast of flavours from around the world; a Cake & Bake Theatre hosted by Yorkshire’s top bakers, chocolatiers and Great British Bake Off contestant Louis Troyano an accompanying Pudding Hall - a haven of sweet treats selling festive favourites such as eggnog and mulled wine, Christmas cake and mince pies, marzipan bonbons and macaroons.

While parents shop and enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly from the Champagne Ski Bar, children under 12 can enrol in the Elf Cookery School with Kiddy Cook, where they can bake and decorate snowballs, gingerbread men, cookies and cupcakes to leave out for Santa.

Just like Christmas day there is lots of post-feasting fun to be had with live music, local choirs singing carols and entertainment throughout the day. Visitors can enter the Chilly-Eating Competition (the winter version of the famous chilli contest), register their team to compete in the Christmas Bumper Quiz and have a group Christmas jumper picture taken in the photo booth.

Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111

Advance tickets are available from £9.50
Friday adult day ticket £10.00 (£8.00 concession)
Saturday or Sunday adult day ticket £13.00 (£11.00 concession)
3-day adult ticket £20.00 (£16.00 concession)

Friday VIP ticket £35.00
Saturday or Sunday VIP ticket £38.00

VIP tickets include a welcome glass of bubbly, access to the VIP lounge with private bar and refreshments throughout the day, priority entry to food and drink masterclasses, a festive goody bag and a showguide.

All children aged 12 and under go free to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult. 

Open times:
Friday 11th December: 10am – 6pm
Saturday 12th December: 10am – 6pm

Sunday 13th December: 10am – 5pm

Look out for competitions and more info - coming soon