The York Food & Drink Festival is back – Here are 15 of the tastiest highlights
York’s tastiest festival returns as the York Food & Drink Festival kicks off this week!
The fun begins this Friday, 17 September, and will run for ten days at Parliament Street and St. Sampson’s Square until Saturday 26 September.
It will feature more than 80 different stands showcasing the best of Yorkshire produce, as well as live demos, workshops and live music.
With over 60 activities in the festival programme this year, we’ve put together a handy guide to 15 of the must-see events!
We’ve picked out some highlights – including a Gin & Rum Festival at York Minster featuring over 120 different gins and rums to try.
There will be appearances from top chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi, William Chew and Neil Bentinck.
The presenters at YorkMix Radio will battle it out in the YorkMix Cook Off! Who do you think will come out on top?
And much more.
For more information and to see the full festival programme, please visit the York Food & Drink Festival website.
The Food Factory
Learn to make your own pasta, chocolate lollipops, smoke your own food and more in the Food Factory! These hands-on cookery workshops are suitable for both adults and families.
- Parliament Street, Museum Gardens & The Coppergate Centre
- 17 – 26 Sep 2021
- Various times
- Free – donate what you can. Booking recommended
The Taste Trail
Claim a range of samples and discounts from some of York’s finest businesses! This year, there will also be ‘sampling sites’ that will each offer tutored tastings on samples from the surrounding cafes, shops and restaurants.
- Parliament Street
- 17 – 26 Sep
- 11am – 4pm
- From £6. Booking required
Live for St. Leonard’s
A music festival taking place across six days that will host some great local music artists such as The Y Street Band, Simon Snaize, Miles Salter and more, all in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice.
- Parliament Street
- 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 Sep
- 5pm – 9pm
- Free
Gin & Rum Festival
There’s over 120 different gins and rums to try at York Minster! There will also be live music, masterclasses and street food.
- York Minster
- Sat 18 Sep
- 12:30pm – 11pm
- £15. Booking required
Little Vikings Kids Activities
Little Vikings are running some simple crafts and colouring for children! Chill out for a few minutes before heading off to explore more tasty delights the festival has to offer.
- St Sampson’s Square
- 18, 19, 25, 26 Sep
- 10am – 11:45am
- Free
William Chew – Maktok
As seen on Dragon’s Den! William Chew showcases some delicious Malaysian food in the demonstration tent.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Sat 18 Sep
- 2pm – 3pm
- Free
Fancy Hanks Cocktail Tasting
The team from Southern American bar and restaurant Fancy Hanks will be showcasing their cocktail skills! Head down to the demo area to see the magic for yourself.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Sat 18 Sep
- 4pm – 5pm
- Free
Neil Bentinck – Skosh
York’s own Neil Bentinck from Skosh will be flexing his chef skills in the demonstration tent.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Sun 19 Sep
- 2pm – 3pm
- Free
Taylor Made Kitchen
Earlier this year, our readers recommended the Taylor Made Kitchen as the top place to get a burger in York – now you can watch chef Christian Taylor make some of his signature dishes!
- St Sampson’s Square
- Sun 19 Sep
- 4pm – 5pm
- Free
Junior Chef Competition
Some of York’s rising stars of the food screen will go head to head in a battle for top honours! The competition will be judged by Great British Menu’s Steph Moon.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Mon 20 Sep
- 12pm – 5pm
- Free
YorkMix Cook Off
Time for the YorkMix Cook Off! YorkMix Radio presenters will battle it out to see who is the better chef. Who are your bets on? Hosted by Ben Fry and judged by Andrew Dixon from The Grand’s Cookery School.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Tue 21 Sep
- 3pm – 5pm
- Free
Yotam Ottolenghi
Chef, restaurateur and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi is heading to York Theatre Royal to talk about the tastes and flavours that excite him and how he created a career from cooking.
- York Theatre Royal
- Tue 21 Sep
- 7:30pm – 9pm
- From £15. Booking required
Yahala Maatam – Syrian Refugees
Learn how to cook authentic Arabic food from talented Syrian chefs!
- St Sampson’s Square
- Wed 22 Sep
- 12pm – 1pm
- Free
Ainsty Ales Beer & Chocolate Tasting
Ainsty Ales and York Cocoa Works are teaming up for a unique chocolate and beer tasting experience – what’s not to like.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Thurs 23 Sep
- 4pm – 5pm
- Free
Potion’s Cauldron
Potion’s Cauldron are bringing a sprinkle of magic to York Food Festival as they take over the demonstration tent.
- St Sampson’s Square
- Fri 25 Sep
- 12pm – 1pm
- Free