National Geographic Traveller (UK) has unveiled the final line-up of guest speakers and exhibitors for this year’s Food Festival, which returns to London’s Business Design Centre, Islington, for a weekend celebrating food and travel on 20-21 July 2024.
Brought to you by award-winning magazines National Geographic Traveller (UK) and Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK), the two-day event invites visitors to experience the flavours of the world, with wine tutorials, food photography workshops, tasting sessions, culinary masterclasses, live cooking demonstrations and interviews with acclaimed cookbook authors.
The line-up brings together some of the most exciting names in modern gastronomy, with the festival’s Main Stage welcoming celebrity chef Nadiya Hussain and restaurateur Nisha Katona, while Speakers’ Corner showcases the latest cookbooks from the likes of festival stalwart Zuza Zak and acclaimed chef Alex Jackson.
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Festival tickets are priced at £15 per person (excluding the 8% booking fee), saving visitors £10 on the door if they book in advance.
Plus, for only £5 per person per session, visitors can book the Wine & Spirits Theatre, the all-new Food Photography Workshops and Tasting Sessions.
Visitors can also pick and choose as many additions as they like but are advised to plan in advance as demand is so high.
Main Stage
Hosted by chef and food writer April Jackson, the Main Stage will feature demonstrations from some of the culinary world’s biggest names, including:
- TV chef and author Nadiya Hussain
- Restaurateur-chefs Nisha Katona, Theo Randall and Richard Corrigan
- TV presenter, chef and author Matt Tebbutt
- Pastry chef, author and broadcaster Ravneet Gill
- Cookbook authors Ixta Belfrage and Olia Hercules
Speakers’ Corner
Over in Speakers’ Corner, hosts Alex Outhwaite and Farida Zeynalova welcome a stellar line-up of cookbook authors who’ll discuss their latest releases and the cuisines and experiences that inspired these works — visitors are invited to ask questions before being given the chance to purchase their favourite cookbook and get it signed.
This year’s line-up includes:
- Zuza Zak, who’ll be discussing her latest book, Slavic Kitchen Alchemy
- Alex Jackson, on his love letter to French cuisine, Frontières
- Imad Alarnab, talking about his acclaimed cookbook, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
Masterclass Theatres
For those wanting to broaden their repertoires, the two Masterclass Theatres will host live cooking demonstrations representing more than a dozen cuisines from across the globe, including:
- Ecuador
- Indonesia
- Georgia and more
NEW for 2024: Food Photography Workshops
For the first time, visitors to the event will get the opportunity to perfect their photography skills, by booking into one of two new series of sessions. On Saturday, Charlie Richards discusses how to perfect your photography technique in the studio or at home, while on Sunday, Giulia Verdinelli focuses on shooting jaw-dropping food photos on the go.
NEW for 2024: Tasting Sessions
This year also sees the introduction of a series of new tasting sessions, with experts in their fields introducing attendees to high-quality chocolate from around the world, the best of British cheeses and classic cocktails from Latin America.
Wine & Spirits Theatre
This year’s Wine & Spirits Theatre once again offers a global tasting tour, featuring tipples from destinations such as the Czech Republic, Georgia, the Lisboa wine region and more.
Main Hall
Finally, the Main Hall will be packed with a wide range of exhibitors, from tourist boards to producers, who’ll be on hand to inspire visitors through demonstrations, samples and stories.
Some of the planet’s best chefs will put a spin on classic dishes, with tourist boards on hand to tell you more about the culinary destinations that have inspired them.
Tickets include entry to the Food Festival, with access to all interviews, Q&As, panel sessions and chef demonstrations.
Editor of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK), Nicola Trup, says: “There’s only a few weeks to go until our fourth Food Festival and I’m thrilled to have our final line-up confirmed, featuring a fantastic mix of some of the best-known names in the world of food and the most exciting up-and-coming talents, as well as passionate drinks specialists and other experts leading our workshops.
“Between them, they represent an array of international influences and styles, so visitors will have a truly global culinary experience. I can’t wait to see what everyone has in store.”
For the final line-up, and to book a ticket, visit: foodfestival.natgeotraveller.co.uk
