Great news for foodie enthusiasts – as the York Food Festival has announced its return for 2023.
Now in its 26th year, the staple of York’s food scene is this year promising an ‘unusual’ celebration of gastronomy and community vitality – with hands-on cooking, exciting demonstrations, and more than 80 stands to explore.
York Food Festival will return from Friday 22 September to Sunday 1 October 2023.
Some of the festival highlights for 2023 include hands-on cookery in the Food Factory, where visitors of all ages can indulge in immersive cookery workshops for free.
The festival will host a special Refugee Day, with the pop-up restaurant Yahala Mataam. The event will aim to foster cultural exchange through food, music and storytelling.
For the first time the Live for St. Leonards Music Event has two stages – the main stage in the Entertainment Marquee in Parliament Street and a new acoustic stage in the York Gin enclosure on St Sampson’s Square, promising an unforgettable free musical extravaganza featuring local bands and singer-songwriters.
Also new for 2023 is a Cookie Tour trail, which is aimed at young visitors.
Additional stands will be at St Crux Hall at the bottom of the Shambles, which means there will be more than 80 stands throughout the festival – providing ample opportunity to explore and enjoy what local producers have to offer.
York Food Festival are also marking the 70th anniversary of the twinning between York and Dijon with demonstrations, sales, and delectable sampling of culinary delights from Burgundy.
Festival director Michael Hjort said, “We want to run an event that celebrates local talent and is run by and for the York community.
“The world is full of Food Festivals these days; what’s different about York is that it’s not a couple of guys off TV and a market brought in from anywhere.”
Lots of demonstrations and tastings will be on offer, from Brew York, Ippuku Tea, Love Cheese, York Gin and more.
To see the full programme of events, visit the York Food Festival website.