Looe Food & Drink Festival Confirms Return for September 2025

Top chefs, live demos and foodie feasts coming to Buller Quay

The popular Looe Food & Drink Festival is making its return on Sunday 14th September 2025, bringing big flavours, free entertainment and some of the UK’s top chefs to East Cornwall.

Centred around a live Chef’s Demonstration Stage at East Looe’s Buller Quay, this one-day event promises a packed programme of culinary talent and regional produce. The festival is free to attend, and is organised entirely by local volunteers.

Big names confirmed for 2025

Ben Palmer, the town’s well-known restauranteur and star of the Sardine Factory and Yamas, is curating the demo line-up once again. Ben will also co-host the stage alongside Ed Hughes, Beer Sommelier at Sharp’s Brewing Co.

Confirmed chefs appearing this year include:

• Chris Eden, Executive Head Chef at Watergate Bay

• James Strawbridge, TV chef and personality

• Dorian Janmaat, Ardor St Ives

• Andi Tuck, The Tartan Fox

• Stephane Delourme, formerly Head Chef for Rick Stein

• Mick Smith, Porthminster Beach Café

• Mike Naidoo, Michelin-starred Morston Hall

• Instagram food influencer Rose Cant (@mumonmuddylane) and her partner Eddy Rains in a fun Chef Vs Cook battle

• Looe’s own Nikos Oikonomopoulos (Yamas) and Fred Alsop (The Fish Market)

Local flavours and award-winning drinks

Surrounding the stage, festivalgoers will find a broad mix of South West-based farmers, producers and makers offering everything from artisan snacks to fresh local ingredients.

Sharp’s Brewing Co is backing the event once again and will be pouring their award-winning Doom Bar, Offshore, and Cold River Cider on the harbourside throughout the day.

Special foodie events across town

The celebrations begin the night before the main festival, on Saturday 13th September, with a Grape Vs Grain feasting ‘contest’ at The Sardine Factory. Hosted by Ed Hughes, the six-course tasting dinner will test traditional wine pairings against beer pairings crafted by Ben Palmer. These events typically sell out fast, so early booking is advised.

Restaurants, bars and cafes across Looe are also expected to get involved with special menus and events in support of the festival.

Make a weekend of it

Festival accommodation partner Cornish Collection has more than 100 self-catering properties available in the area, with some still available to book for the festival weekend. From sea-view apartments to houses sleeping 14, they offer a wide range of places to stay right in the heart of the action.

Director of Operations Helena Jaycock said, “September is such a perfect time to visit East Cornwall. The Looe Food + Drink Festival brings a whole host of additional reasons to come and experience our historical setting.”

Further chef announcements and entertainment details are expected in the coming weeks. For updates, follow the official Instagram: @LooeFoodAndDrinkFest.

Sponsors for the 2025 festival include:

• Sharp’s Brewing Co

• The Sardine Factory Restaurant

• Cornish Collection

Organisers are once again aiming to celebrate the best of Cornwall’s food, drink and community spirit with a day that’s free, fun and full of flavour.