Food writer Grace Dent, MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou, a new supper club, and a long list of chefs, producers and entrepreneurs are lined up for the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth.
The event takes place in the heart of the town on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September, with launch events on the Friday night.
The ever-popular producers’ market will take place on Main Street, while over in Memorial Gardens Car Park, off Wakefield Road, will be the drinks tent, live music stage, picnic area and fairground.
New for 2022 will be a quiz night with stand up comedian and broadcaster Steffen Peddie, and a supper club with Alec Anderson from West Cumbria-based Takeaway@Home who will be cooking a locally-sourced feast at Cockermouth Cricket Club.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be a Q&A with Carlisle-born Grace Dent, restaurant critic for The Guardian, broadcaster on the likes of MasterChef, and host of the Comfort Eating podcast.
She will be in conversation with BBC Radio Cumbria’s breakfast show host Mike Zeller at an exclusive event at Wordsworth House & Garden.
There will also be the chance to watch some of the county’s amazing chefs at work in the demo kitchen – this year the line-up includes Irini Tzortzoglou, MasterChef winner, and TV chef Peter Sidwell who will be streaming his online show from the festival.
Following the success of a cocktail-making masterclass at Tithe Tap on Station Street last year, the team will be hosting another night this year.
There will be a big Producers’ Market and Young Entrepreneurs’ Market on Main Street, while Market Place will host a street party.
Expect plenty of local hospitality businesses selling their wares, street art with Beardy Synergy, face painting, circus skills with a foodie twist, Market Place businesses coming out onto the street to trade and acoustic music corner with local acts sourced by local promoter Rock With. There will be children’s activities with Rainbow Wishes Foundation in The Vicky shared workspace, and street theatre too.
Taste Cumbria is organised by Allerdale Borough Council.
Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale council, said: “This Taste Cumbria festival looks like being one of the best yet. We absolutely love organising these events and seeing the streets bustling with visitors, as well as the boost it gives to the local economy. Come along and enjoy the county’s best food and drink.”
Tickets for the Grace Dent Q&A will go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 30 August, followed by the quiz night, cocktail masterclass and Supper Club. Visit www.visitallerdale.co.uk/things-to-do/taste-cumbria-cockermouth
This festival will be followed by another festive favourite – Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December 2022.
