St Ives Food & Drink Festival Pulls Thousands as 2027 Plans Already in Motion

Three days. One beach. Thousands of people. The 2026 St Ives Food & Drink Festival has just wrapped up, and organisers say it’s already shaping up to be a hard act to follow.

The free event, which holds the title of the UK’s only food festival staged on a beach, took over Porthminster beach for what’s become one of Cornwall’s biggest community gatherings of the year.

Chefs cooking over fire

This year’s line-up brought together some serious culinary talent. Andi Tuck, Ben Palmer, Suki Pantel, Jude Kereama, Sham Mulji, Ethan Friskney-Bryer and Annie Seabourne all took to the demonstration area, with every chef cooking outside over fire thanks to festival supporters Firemade and Kamado Joe.

A new space for families

One of the standout additions to the 2026 festival was the Little Nippers Green family area, funded by St Ives Town Council. The space gave younger visitors plenty to do, with free food-themed arts and crafts, children’s cooking classes run by Rose Cant, music and circus skills workshops, games and sensory play areas.

The Chef’s Table

Another fresh addition was The Chef’s Table, created with Sharp’s Brewing Co as the festival’s masterclass hub. The intimate setting hosted small-group sessions where visitors got hands-on with chefs and drinks experts.

Highlights included sessions led by Sharp’s sommeliers Ed Hughes and Sam Lyne alongside guest chefs, a fermenting masterclass with Newlyn Fermentary, wine tasting with Elly Owen, and Tiny Talks with Rachel Gaunt.

Backing Cornwall’s independents

The festival also deepened its support for Cornwall’s independent economy through new partnerships with Cornwall Shop Small and Cornwall Food & Farming, putting a spotlight on local producers, growers and small businesses. Organisers also thanked St Ives BID for its ongoing support.

Johnnie Wells, Mayor of St Ives, said: “The food festival is now one of the biggest events on the St Ives calendar and a real marker for the start of the summer season. As the UK’s only food and drink festival held on a beach, it’s something truly unique that showcases the very best of St Ives, from our coastline and beaches to our music scene, local producers and talented chefs. A huge thank you goes to the organising team who work so hard to bring the event together each year, and to Porthminster Beach for hosting it.”

Festival organisers added: “St Ives Food & Drink Festival is about far more than food. It’s about community, culture and championing the incredible independent businesses and talented people that make Cornwall such a special place. Seeing thousands of people come together on the beach to support local producers, chefs and makers has been incredibly special once again.”

With strong attendance across the weekend, planning for the 2027 festival is already underway. More information is available on the St Ives Food & Drink Festival website.