Popular Leamington Food and Drink Festival returns with over 115 exhibitors including 37 town centre businesses

The two-day celebration of the best local and regional food and drink has once again been organised by BID Leamington with the support of local businesses.

The free-to-attend event – which will be staged in the Pump Room Gardens between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 – will feature over 115 exhibitors including 37 town centre businesses.

Fizzy Moon Brewhouse and Grill is among 24 new exhibitors which also include fellow town centre businesses, the award-winning Magic Wingdom, Smowkhaus, Bodega Cantina, Cote Restaurant, COOK, Dwarakamai and Boston Tea Party.

Sylvester Kalocsai, general manager at the award-winning Fizzy Moon Brewhouse and Grill, which is based in Regent Street, said he hopes their drinks van and food will tempt those attending the festival which attracts residents and visitors of all ages.

He said: “We have been in Leamington for six years but this is the first time we will have attended the Leamington Food and Drink Festival.

“We thought it would be a new chapter in our history after Covid and we’re really excited to be going along and getting our business more well-known.

“We will be bringing along drinks as well as our signature burgers and hot dogs which will be infused with Guinness and Purity products and some of the burgers will have chargrilled buns as well so it’s pretty exciting.”

Another new business attending for the first time is Social, which is a premium canned vodka drink in pear and raspberry flavours which was launched by Wasps rugby players Brad Shields and Josh Bassett 18 months ago.

Brad, who lives in the town, said: “We have a market stall and we will be giving out samples at the festival as well as selling our products.

“We want to create a buzz around the business in our area and we’re excited to be going along to chat to people and we hope people will enjoy our drinks.”

Other favourites will also attend including The Shakespeare Spit Roast Company, who has attended for the last 15 year is returning, alongside other long-standing exhibitors Aubrey Allen, the Royal Pug and the Cakery.

Simon Harrison, owner of the Stratford-based Shakespeare Spit Roast Company, said: “We have been going to the Leamington Food and Drink Festival since the beginning and it has really grown over the years with more and more stands and the number of people who attend.

“That is mainly down to the organisers since BID Leamington is brilliant and even when it has rained in previous years, people have turned up and had a great time.

“I use it as a platform for my weddings and invite people to come along for tastings which means they get to see the business in action and I always get more bookings by attending.”

There will be cookery demonstrations on vegan cooking from Rootyfuel, Zimbabwean cuisine from Caz Gundhu, Bread for Life by Jess Mooney and Greek food from Christina Kynigos.

Aubrey Allen’s popular Cooking Competition will be staged on September 11 and there will be live music from Gebby and Myles, Abi Rowberry, Sam Lawrence, Luna Kiss, Enchanted and Room 17 from the bandstand.

Alison Shaw, BID Leamington project manager, said it was great to welcome new and old faces to exhibit at the Leamington Food and Drink Festival.

She said: “The Leamington Food and Drink Festival is one of the highlights of the town’s events calendar and always has a relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

“As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we can see over the years more and more high-quality food and drink businesses have become involved and it attracts visitors from further afield.

“We are very grateful for everyone’s support and the mix of food and drink with entertainment is a winning combination as we aim to provide something for everyone whatever tantalises your tastebuds.”

For more information, visit www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk