Padstow Christmas Festival 2017
Top chefs Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw will be flying the flag for Cornwall at this year’s tenth Padstow Christmas Festival.
The highly-acclaimed culinary trio, who are longstanding champions of the annual event, will be joined by a who’s who of top chefs including Angela Hartnett, Michael Caines, Nieves Barragán Mohacho, Jack Stein, Sat Bains, and Tom Kerridge.
The festival, which runs from December 7-10, is one of the largest of its kind in the country, attracting tens of thousands of people to the fishing town.
Padstow comes alive with celebrity chefs and plays host to more than 100 food, drink and craft producers from across the county. The free-to-attend event also features live music, a lantern parade, Santa’s grotto, and fireworks display.
Nathan Outlaw, chef patron of Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, will open the festival in the Sharp’s Chefs Theatre on 7 December.
From left: Hugo Woolley, Jack Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Rick Stein, Brian Turner, John Walton, Paul Dodd. The chefs appeared at the 2015 Padstow Christmas Festival. – Photos: James Ran
Organiser, Tina Evans, said: “The festival celebrates its tenth birthday this year, which makes it even more special.
“We’re overwhelmed by the number of incredible chefs who’ve agreed to give up their time at the start of the festive season to take part.
“The final line-up is yet to be confirmed, but Padstow continues to attract some of the best chefs in the world.”
Author, chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar is new to this year’s line-up. He was the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, which he won in 2001 during his tenure as head chef at Tamarind of Mayfair. Atul went on to open the highly-acclaimed Benares Restaurant & Bar for which he was awarded second Michelin star in 2007.
Atul Kochhar said: “Padstow Christmas Festival is always a fantastic event and I’m incredibly excited to be attending this year to share my culinary hints, tips and festive dishes during the chef demonstrations, alongside fellow friends.”
Compèred by BBC Radio Cornwall, the two chef stages will feature more than 50 cookery demonstrations, food forums, themed workshops and chef ‘Q&As’.
The popular Christmas market will house an eclectic array of crafts, gifts and artwork, and a tempting selection of locally-produced food ranging from artisan breads and cakes, chocolate, meats, cheeses and preserves. Award-winning craft gin Tarquin’s is a festival favourite, along with the Sharp’s Brewery Secret Bar.
A special black-tie ‘birthday’ ball to celebrate the festival’s tenth anniversary is being held in the grounds of Padstow’s historic Prideaux Place on September 16.
Three hundred partygoers will be treated to a delicious three-course dinner with live music from Bristol-based band On The Edge.
Tickets for the ball are priced at £70 each and available from Tina Evans at cjebnb@gmail.com
