Published December 12th, 2017
Thousands of food lovers and Christmas shoppers braved gale-force winds and wintery weather at the weekend to visit the annual Padstow Christmas Festival.
Now in its tenth year, the four-day festival, which ran from 7 to 10 December, has become one of the largest of its kind in the country. The picturesque harbourside town bustled with celebrity chefs and played host to more than 100 artisan food, drink, and craft producers from across the South West.
Cornwall’s much-lauded food heroes Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, and Nathan Outlaw, who are long-standing supporters of the event, were joined by a roll call of culinary A-listers including Angela Hartnett, Michael Caines, Tom Kerridge, Roy Brett, and José Pizarro.
The two chef stages featured more than 60 cookery demonstrations, as well as lively debate at the popular food forums.
The free-to-attend event also boasted live music, a spectacular fireworks display, carol services, a Santa fun run and cycle, as well as Santa’s parade around the quay. He was joined by a trio of camels, ridden by ‘three kings’ and led by ‘shepherds’, and local school children proudly displaying their handmade lanterns.
Paul Ainsworth, who runs two restaurants and a boutique hotel in the town, said: “For me, Padstow Christmas Festival is so special because I have been part of the journey from day one, and to see it grow to what it is now is just incredible.
“From the first time we did it to ten years on, it’s the start of Christmas for me. It’s always the first full weekend in December and I just love it.”
Two Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge made a whistle-stop visit to Padstow on Thursday, before returning to finish his shift at his Buckinghamshire gastropub, the Hand and Flowers, in Marlow.
He said: “I’ve done the festival three or four times now and it’s just such a special place to be.
“The atmosphere is great, the people are lovely, and it gives me a chance to hang out with my best mate Paul Ainsworth!”
The festival enjoyed a modest birth ten years ago, bearing little resemblance to the event it has become today. It was conceived from a collective desire to make Padstow a year-round destination for visitors and give a much-needed out-of-season boon to its shops, restaurants and cafés.
Organiser, Tina Evans, who runs the event with a team of dedicated volunteers, said: “It’s been another great year for us – despite the weather – and a fitting celebration of the festival’s tenth birthday.
“The Christmas market was better than ever this year, full of stalls showcasing the best food, drinks, and crafts the region has to offer.
“A huge thank you to all of the chefs who took part in the cooking demonstrations, particularly Rick, Paul, and Nathan for their unstinting support, as well as all the volunteers and our sponsors, without whom the festival simply wouldn’t happen.
“There’s no rest for us now: we’re already planning next year’s event, and many of this year’s visitors have already booked their accommodation for 2018!”
The festival is supported by a number of sponsors, including Rock-based Sharp’s Brewery.
Ed Hughes, the brewery’s beer sommelier, said: “The brilliant organisers once again created a magical festival, where visitors enjoyed all of the festivities, food and drink, events, music, fireworks, and a whole host of amazing chefs offering top tips and culinary inspiration.
“We welcomed many curious food and beer fans into the Sharp’s Secret Bar and gave away thousands of samples of our award-winning beers, and challenged many visitors’ beer-tasting knowledge at our Beer Bingo demonstration.
“There was an amazing atmosphere during the whole festival despite the cold weather which only added to the festive feeling and joyous mood of festival goers.”
The eleventh Padstow Christmas Festival will take place from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th December 2018.
