Hundreds are heading down to this year's Foodies Festival to enjoy live music, sample a variety of cuisines and dance the night away! Here is everything you need to know about this weekend's event.
The popular Foodies Festival will be returning to Oaklands College from May 29 to 31.
It promises to be a three-day extravaganza filled with live cooking demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and performances from chart-topping artists including Scouting for Girls and Boyzlife.
The festival will also feature the return of Symphonic Ibiza, blending dance anthems with live vocals, a DJ, and a full orchestra.
All these amazing acts will be accompanied by a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs features Great British Menu Champion of Champions Amber Francis and contestant Jason Howard, royal cake maker Mich Turner MBE, and MasterChef champion Dhruv Baker.
A new event for 2026 is the ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ live cook-off, featuring well-known chefs from MasterChef and Great British Menu in a fast-paced, audience-driven competition.
Organisers have ensured the event is dog-friendly, with activities, treats, and competitions for four-legged visitors.
Where is the event?
Foodies Festival will be returning to its home in the grounds of Oaklands College.
Vehicular access is provided via South Drive and a limited amount of parking is available on site.
When is the event?
The opening hours on each day are as follows:
- Friday 29 - 2pm to 10pm
- Saturday 30 - 11am to 9pm
- Sunday 31 - 11am to 8pm
Here is a complete guide to the chefs, acts and experiences on each day:
Day one - May 29:
Live Music
Friday's headliner is Symphonic Ibiza, a fan-favourite in St Albans.
- Louise Parker - 3.20pm
- Reigns - 4.40pm
- Paul James Project - 6pm
- Headliner Symphonic Ibiza - 7.40pm
La Española Chefs Theatre
- Nigel Brown, Nigel Brown International Cook School – Exotic Eats - 2.30pm
- Tom Lodge, ITV’s The Heat - 3.30pm
- Jay & Gary, Dishy Dads - 4.30pm
- Sian Madlani, Culinary Artist – Friday Night ‘Fakeaway’ - 5.30pm
- Hot Chilli Challenge - 6.30pm
Fire Stage
Hosted by BBQ chef Jacqueline Wise.
- Sizzling It Hot & Fast - 3.15pm
- The World’s Tastiest Kebabs - 4.15pm
- Perfect Pickles, Ferments and Sides - 6.30pm
Drinks Theatre
- Nana Rose Rum Punch - 3pm
- Joe Wadsack, Cocchi – classic spritzes from Turin - 4pm
- Joe Wadsack, Around the world in 3 premium white spirits! - 5pm
- Brixworth Spirits, Brixworth Gincredibles - 6pm
- Joe Wadsack, Desi Daru Indian-inspired ultra-premium vodka - 7pm
Cake & Bake Theatre
Hosted by Mich Turner of Little Venice Cake Company.
- Nigel Brown, Brilliant Bread - 2pm
- Jodie’s Cookies – Burnt Butter Choc Chip Cookies - 3pm
- Joe Moruzzi, Pleesecakes – Showstopping Cheesecakes - 4pm
- Mich Turner, Little Venice Cake Company – Strawberry and Elderflower WImbledon Cake - 5pm
Day two - May 30:
Live Music
Headlined by Boyzlife with Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and Westlife’s Brian McFadden.
- George Redwood - 12.20pm
- Jewelia - 1.10pm
- Louise Parker - 2.10pm
- Number 7 - 3.20pm
- The Vows - 4.20pm
- Number 7 - 5.30pm
- Headliner Boyzlife - 7.10pm
La Española Chefs Theatre
Hosted by former MasterChef champion, Dhruv Baker.
- Jason Howard, Great British Menu 2025 - midday
- Shahnaaz Ayub, Celebrity Chef & Radio Host - 1pm
- Amber Francis, Great British Menu Champion of Champions
- Thuy Diem Pham, author & TV Chef
- Harry Maguire, MasterChef Champion 2025
- Dhruv Baker, MasterChef Champion
- Hot Chilli Challenge
Fire Stage
Hosted by BBQ chef Jacqueline Wise.
- Your New Favourite Rubs & Sauces - 12.15pm
- How to Cook the Perfect Steak - 1.15pm
- Mastering Fire-Cooked Seafood - 2.15pm
- Cooking It Low & Slow - 3.15pm
- Sizzling It Hot & Fast - 4.15pm
Drinks Theatre
- Nana Rose Punch - 12.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Yealands – summer of Sauvignon blanc - 1.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Pfaffl – award-winning Austrian wines - 2.30pm
- Brixworth Spirits, Pour Decisions - 3.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Mucho Mas – Spain’s hottest wine brand - 4.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Around the world in 3 premium white spirits! - 5.30pm
- Brixworth Spirits, Distilled & Unfiltered - 6.30pm
Cake & Bake Theatre
Hosted by Mitch Turner of Little Venice Cake Company.
- Brilliant Bread, Nigel Brown - 11.30am
- Knead for Change, Baklava - 12.30pm
- Sian Madlani, Culinary Artist – Saffron Mango Swirl Cheesecake - 1.30pm
- Mich Turner, Little Venice Cake Company – Strawberry and Elderflower Wimbledon Cake - 2.30pm
- Jodie’s Cookies – Burnt Butter Cookie - 3.30pm
- Amber Francis, Great British Menu Champion of Champions 2025 - 4.30pm
Deli Kitchen Kids Cookery School with Rethink Food
Making fun & Funky flatbreads.
Classes running 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Tickets available from the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Day three - May 31st
Live Music:
Headlined by Scouting For Girls.
- Rock Choir Abigail Harris - 11.30am
- Vinther - midday
- Serena Grant - 12.50pm
- Marylebone Jelly - 1.40pm
- The Vows - 2.20pm
- Jive Aces - 3.30pm
- Marylebone Jelly - 4.40pm
- Scouting For Girls - 6.10pm
La Española Chefs Theatre
Hosted by former MasterChef champion, Dhruv Baker.
- Nigel Brown, Nigel Brown International Cook School – Exotic Eats - midday
- Shahnaaz Ayub, Celebrity Chef & Radio Host - 1pm
- Elena Frattura, Rottura - 2pm
- Thippi Rashleigh, Sala Thai - 3pm
- Dhruv Baker, MasterChef Champion - 4pm
- Hot Chilli Challenge - 5pm
Fire Stage
Hosted by BBQ chef Jacqueline Wise.
- Mastering Fire-Cooked Seafood - 12.15pm
- Blazin’ Hot Wings Challenge - 1.15pm
- Sweet Treats from the BBQ - 2.15pm
- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Ribs - 3.15pm
- Dirty Coal Cooking - 4.15pm
Drinks Theatre
- Nana Rose Punch - 12.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Cocchi – classic spritzes from Turin - 1.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Cellar Door Wines – presenting your local wine merchant! - 2.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Apres Provence - 3.30pm
- Brixworth Spirits, Gin There Rum That - 4.30pm
- Joe Wadsack, Around the world in 3 premium white spirits! - 5.30pm
Cake & Bake Theatre
Hosted by Mitch Turner of Little Venice Cake Company.
- Brilliant Bread, Nigel Brown - 11.30am
- Knead for Change, Baklava - 12.30pm
- Joe Moruzzi, Pleesecakes – Showstopping Cheesecakes - 1.30pm
- Mich Turner, Little Venice Cake Company – Strawberry and Elderflower Wimbledon Cake - 2.30pm
- Jodie’s Cookies – Burnt Butter Choc Chip Cookies - 3.30pm
Deli Kitchen Kids Cookery School with Rethink Food
Making fun & Funky flatbreads.
Classes running 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Tickets available from the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
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