Published September 27th, 2022
A north Cornish Christmas festival has announced its first line-up of culinary talent, and released tickets for a long weekend of food and festivities.
The volunteer-run Padstow Christmas Festival has announced award-winning chefs José Pizarro, Clodagh McKenna, Mitch Tonks, Angela Hartnett and many more will join festival regulars Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw for the annual event, taking place Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 December.
Glynn Purnell, chef and TV personality, has been named amongst the line-up, demonstrating on Saturday afternoon alongside chef Michael Caines MBE.
Purnell said of the upcoming event: “It’s been a tough two years for many of us, and it’s fantastic that Padstow Christmas Festival is back up and running again this year to bring some Christmas cheer to all of us.
“I’m really excited to once again come down and experience the excellent hospitality and warmth that the town always offers. My favourite part of the Padstow Christmas Festival is undoubtedly the Santa Fun Run, and I don’t even need to buy a beard this year as mine is now completely white!”
Cookery demonstrations will run across two stages: The Sharp’s Chefs’ Theatre and The Festival Stage. The artisan Christmas market will be in a neighbouring marquee, along with a bandstand with live music and Christmas carols.
Cornwall’s own Nathan Outlaw will kick off the demonstrations on Thursday morning in the Sharp’s Chefs’ Theatre, followed by Watergate Bay’s Emily Scott, and head chef of the Seafood Restaurant Pete Murt, accompanied by chef director and author Jack Stein.
Rick and Charlie Stein, wine expert and author, will be collaborating on stage at 10am on Friday morning, followed by Prawn on the Lawn’s Rick Toogood, Adam Bristol and Ollie Hutson from The Pig and Paul Ainsworth and Flying Fish’s Johnny Godden.
The Lantern Parade, where local schools get together to showcase their handmade creations to tour the town will kick off on Friday evening from 6pm, before the much-anticipated firework display.
Critically-acclaimed chefs Clodagh McKenna, Jude Kereama, Phil Vickery, Mitch Tonks and Neil Borthwick are all set to share industry secrets and tips on Saturday, along with a special demonstration from sponsors Sharp’s Brewery in the afternoon.
On Sunday, the much-awaited Chef’s Breakfast will begin at 9:30am, where guest chefs will cook for up to 70 people, allowing ticket-holders to chat with national food icons, with food and drink supplied by local Cornish producers.
The breakfast will be followed by a demonstration on the main stage from OBE and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, who is a firm friend of the festival. Michelin-starred chef Clare Smyth, Nigel Haworth and Brian Turner are all following suit, along with BBC Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt, who will appear on stage alongside José Pizarro, the ‘Spanish Godfather’ of cooking.
On returning to the festival, Pizarro said: “I am honoured and delighted to be joining Padstow Christmas Festival this year.
“Christmas is a magical time of year in Cornwall and always feels so festive, so I’m sure there’ll be a wonderful atmosphere and of course, delicious food!”
The Festival Stage will host an array of the best emerging local culinary talent. Chefs from Truro College, St Enodoc Hotel, The Atlantic and many more will be demonstrating throughout the weekend.
Along with the line-up announcement, tickets have now been released. Tickets are £7 for a day ticket, £20 for a full weekend ticket and under 16s go free.
This is the first year the festival has had to charge for tickets. This is due to the dramatic rise in costs to run the event, and without a small fee, the event would simply not have been able to go ahead.
The festival is only charging for the elements which require a huge financial investment. The lantern parade, firework display, and bandstand will all be free to attend.
For more information on the line-up and purchasing a ticket for the festival, please head to: https://www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk/.
