Who we are
The festival was originally conceived by the West Dorset Food and Land Trust, with support from the Countryside Agency, The Marshwood Vale Magazine, Denhay Farms and Bridport Town Council, and was launched with the help of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in 2004. Over the last 20 years, the Festival has blossomed into a well-loved and hugely popular event, regularly attended by over 3000 visitors. It is a much-loved fixture in Bridport’s food calendar!
Whether you’d like to get involved in the planning of the Bridport Food Festival by joining our committee, staging a Food Event during the Festival week or find out how your business can get involved with Sponsoring the Bridport Food Festival please do contact us.
Beer Festival
As the Food Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are super excited to be running our party in a field alongside them! 2024 sees a bigger line up on the stage with a Beerfest favourite Styilliano returning on Friday, open mic during the day followed by a DJ to build the night up and then for their first Beerfest double event we have Bridport’s best duo Shelby's Elbows and then rock covers from the newly established rock group Double D Junior! So, whether you're a beer enthusiast of just looking for a fun evening out, this festival has something for everyone!
When it comes to Bridport Round Table though and with years of experience we know the music gets a party going, but in true Bridport fashion it is mostly about the booze! So, what do we have planned! 80 beers, 40+ ciders, wine, cocktails, Pimm's and lager on tap! Plus we’re sure we will have a 2024 trick up our sleeve! For more details please email bridportroundtable@gmail.com - sponsorship options also available as all of our profits go to local requests, good causes and groups. We look forward to seeing you on 14th and 15th, Bridport Round Table.
Food Matters
The Bridport Food Matters tent is set to celebrate projects related to their goal of promoting access to nutritious food for all forever. This year in particular they will be profiling the younger generation in the area who are taking forward food security and climate adaptation. Attendees can also expect to participate in a wide range of exciting activities, such as 'design your ideal community food hub' and pop-up cooking experiences. Partnering this year with Bridport Town Council, the Bridport Food Matters marquee will be a space for discussion on the recently released "Food Security Plan", what it is, what are the priorities, and how you can be involved in the Actions. There will be talks from local farmers and producers on their experiences, covering subjects such as seed saving, agro-ecology and soil improvement. The BFM tent will be a 'forum' as well as networking space, showcasing and giving space to various community food initiatives.
Young Cooks Kitchen
All activities are free and there is no charge for children for entry either. The Bridport Food Festival wants the next generation to love cooking, eating fantastic food and to enjoy choosing local produce.
This year younger cooks at the festival will be able to join in hands-on sessions to create food that’s designed for sharing; an edible trip around the world via classic dishes like the great British sausage roll (pork or veggie version) and Spanish tortilla. Brilliant Bridport chefs from The Olive Tree and Klin Klan will also visit to demonstrate how to make delicious Mediterranean and Thai delicacies.
Ines Cavill helps co-ordinate activities for young people at the festival and is looking to this year’s ‘Who Shares Wins’ theme; “There was a great atmosphere at last year’s Big Tea Party so we continue that idea of cooking together to eat collectively and during the current cost of living crisis sharing food feels increasingly important”.
Debbie Smith from Watercleaves Nursery will set up a special kitchen garden play area featuring a shed and planters for younger children that explores this theme alongside growing food and says; “Children are never too young to start making food and thinking about how to grow and share it too – in our marquee all ages can join in the cooking sessions in the pop-up kitchen and in the play area younger children will have compost, water and plants to explore too…”.
Bridport Youth Club is partnering with the festival, to make a day of activities to appeal to every age from toddlers to teens – and with Jo Burlington, who will be running playful ‘Oops Wow Messy Art’ drop in workshops that also pick up on themes of growing and sharing food.
The festival’s ‘Young Cooks Kitchen’ has been kindly sponsored by New House Farm and Pottery who will be providing all ingredients from local suppliers.
SPONSORS
