Published November 20th, 2019
The countdown to Padstow Christmas Festival has begun, with two theatres of chef demonstrations, a Christmas Market, book signings, and community events taking place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 December.
It is an action-packed four days at this free-to-attend event. More than 60 food professionals will provide culinary demonstrations during the festival with many of Cornwall’s favourite chefs and TV personalities making an appearance.
This year, for the first time, Sharp’s Brewery will be hosting a silent bistro, and Padstow Bookseller has organised a series of literary talks and interviews.
Also new to the event this year is Clodagh McKenna, a regular guest on television, and Matt Tebbutt, host of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. They will join a strong line up of chefs from the nation’s leading Michelin-starred restaurants, including Atul Kochhar, Michael Caines, Nigel Haworth, Angela Hartnett, and north Cornwall favourites Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth.
For those looking to do some festive shopping, the Christmas Market and local shops, pubs and restaurants are open daily. Gifts to purchase include beers, wines and spirits, cheese, chocolate, chutney, and preserves as well as a range of craft products, and food for the Christmas table.
Fern Britton, television presenter and author, said: “I am so looking forward to the festival. It’s a really fun few days of festive food and gifts by the seaside. Walking Padstow’s tiny lanes you never know who you’re going to bump into. It’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.”
Fern will accompany shipwreck expert Richard Larn, and Rick Stein, on Saturday and Sunday, for a series of literary talks, interviews, and book signings. To be held at Padstow Harbour Hotel, it will be a weekend full of stories about shipwrecks, strong-willed vicars, mysterious poison pen letters, and journeys through France.
Sharp’s silent bistro, an innovative mix of food demonstrations, beer and food pairings will take place from 3pm on Saturday 7 December in the Festival Theatre. In the same way that a silent disco attunes the senses to music and dance, the silent bistro aligns taste, sight, and sound in an immersive food experience. Sharp’s Brewery will also be hosting its secret bar at the festival, but you will have to find it to experience it.
The weekend features a host of events for the community. On Friday evening, a lantern parade of local school children lights up the streets and marks the arrival of Santa Claus before he heads to his holiday grotto beside the sea.
Children can visit Santa, see a film in the Festival Theatre, or sing carols, ahead of the magnificent annual firework display over the harbour.
On Saturday, the lanes and Camel Trail become filled with santas, of all shapes and sizes, in the annual Santa Fun Run and Cycle Ride in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. The cycle ride sets off from Wadebridge to Padstow at 11am, while the run commences at 1pm.
Padstow Christmas Festival will be officially opened by Nathan Outlaw at midday on Thursday 5 December in the Sharp’s Chefs Theatre.
Parking in the town is limited and organisers recommend using the park and ride which will be operating throughout the event.
For more information visit padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk.
