The hugely popular free Festival, which celebrates the finest food and drink from across East Anglia, attracted over 15,000 visitors in 2019. This year, it is due to take place during the weekend of 11-12 September at a brand-new location, the grounds of The Jockey Club Rooms in the centre of Newmarket. The new location will create more space and organisers hope it will also open the Festival to a larger and more diverse audience. It also offers the chance to view inside one of the world’s most unique sporting venues – limited spaces offered by prior appointment.
Celebrity chefs topping the bill on the main stage this year include chef and TV presenter Rosemary Shrager (pictured); Tristan Welch, a regular on BBC 1’s Saturday Kitchen and Chef Director at Parker’s Tavern in Cambridge; and acclaimed master chef Hans Schweitzer, who has cooked for the Queen, presidents, dignitaries and celebrities across the globe. Each chef will demo a range of dishes to teach audiences new skills and offer inspiration in the kitchen.
In addition, the organisers plan to host over 60 artisan Food and Drink producers from across East Anglia and present a weekend packed full of live music, a selection of bars, and family entertainment.
Further details regarding additional celebrity and top regional chefs, music and entertainment, and producers will be announced during the lead up to the Festival.
Festival Chairman, Noel Byrne said: “The Newmarket Food & Drink Festival team are delighted to be back after the event was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are even more excited to be hosting the event at a remarkable new location. This is a big step forward for the Festival; hosting the event at The Jockey Club Rooms offers a fantastic opportunity in terms of accessibility and it is a brilliant space to build on the offer to our visitors. It also gives everyone a rare chance to see the grounds of The Jockey Club Rooms.
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming the thousands of people the Festival attracts to the town for a weekend of fun and entertainment.”
Christopher Ogston, Jockey Club Rooms General Manager, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Newmarket Food & Drink Festival and to be the location for this fantastic culinary event. Noel and the team have been working extremely hard to deliver an event that surpasses previous years. I am sure everyone attending will have a brilliant time watching the chef demonstrations, trying some of the tasty treats on offer, and enjoying the entertainment – which is always superb! – all within the exclusive Jockey Club Rooms grounds.”
The Festival is supported by the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, which takes place the following weekend in and around Newmarket.
Sponsors for the event include Newmarket BID – Love Newmarket, Corney & Barrow, and G’s Fresh, amongst others. The Festival also proudly raises money that goes towards the local charities supported by the Henry Cecil Open Weekend.
The Festival media partner is BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Read more information about the Festival
Keep up to date with the Festival on social media via Facebook: @nktfoodanddrink and Instagram: @nktfoodanddrink
COVID-19: The Newmarket Food & Drink Festival will comply with all aspects of Government guidelines that are in force at the time of the Festival to ensure the safety of the public and everyone involved in the event.