Looe Food & Drink Festival Returns on 14th September 2025

With just over a week to go, the harbour town of Looe is preparing to host one of Cornwall's biggest foodie celebrations. The Looe Food & Drink Festival returns to Buller Quay, East Looe, on Sunday 14th September 2025, offering a free day of chef demonstrations, artisan stalls and community festivities.

Supported by Sharp's Brewing Co, The Sardine Factory Restaurant and Cornish Collection, the festival promises to be a highlight of Cornwall's culinary calendar.

Star-Studded Chef Line-Up

This year's programme has been curated by acclaimed restaurateur and TV chef Ben Palmer and will be co-hosted by Sharp's Beer Sommelier Ed Hughes.

Ben will open the Chef's Demonstration Stage at 11am alongside celebrity chef James Strawbridge. The day will continue with appearances from Chris Eden (Watergate Bay Hotel), Andi Tuck (The Tartan Fox) and Stephane Delourme, followed by Nicholas Balfe and Charlie Walters at 12.40pm.

Fred Alsop of The Fish Market in Looe will join forces with Mike Naidoo of Michelin-starred Morston Hall at 1.30pm, while the 2.20pm slot sees a St Ives showcase featuring Mick Smith (Porthminster Beach Café) and Dorian Janmaat (Ardor).

From 3.10pm, Instagram duo Rose Cant (@mumonmuddylane) and Eddy Rains will bring their playful "Chef vs Cook" format to the stage, before Ben Palmer returns at 4pm with Nikos Oikonomopoulos (Yamas, Looe) and Thanos Aggelopoulos to close the programme.

Cornish Producers at the Harbourside

Around the harbour, festivalgoers can explore food and drink stalls from south west producers, including Mor Foods, Cornish Garlic Company, Katie's Cornish Hotpots, The Taco Smith, Boddingtons Jam, Cornish Tea, Edwards Fudge, Freda's Peanut Butter, Cornish Gouda, Looe Valley Vineyard and many more.

Sharp's Brewing Co will also be present, pouring their cask ale Doom Bar alongside Offshore and Cold River Cider.

Ed Hughes said, "Sharp's is proud to be pouring Doom Bar, Offshore and Cold River Cider in Looe once again. The festival captures everything that's brilliant about Cornwall's food and drink scene — and this year's timetable is the strongest yet. We cannot wait to return to the Cornish 'East End' to work with such talented and passionate chefs to showcase the very best of local ingredients, cooking combinations and drinks pairings.

Additionally, we are so happy to be supporting Ben, Helena and the voluntary team behind Looe Food & Drink Festival, and to be collectively shining a light on this beguiling, characterful East Cornwall port, and its exceptional foodie scene."

Special Feast Before the Festival

On Saturday 13th September, The Sardine Factory will host the Grape Vs Grain feasting contest, where bespoke beer pairings will go head-to-head with wine across a six-course tasting menu by Ben Palmer. Limited seats remain and bookings can be made directly with the restaurant.

Ben said, "We are very proud of the Looe Food & Drink Festival line-up of incredible chefs and producers. We've got some of the very best local talent alongside national names who are at the top of their game, from Michelin-starred chefs to creative rising stars. The mix this year is just outstanding and really shows off the depth and diversity of the Cornish food scene while also bringing in new influences. For me, it's hugely rewarding to welcome friends and colleagues from across the industry to my hometown, and I can't wait for festivalgoers to experience the energy, creativity and sheer passion they'll be bringing to the stage."

He added, "Last year's festival was such an invigorating success and proved to be a great way to bring the whole town alive, showcasing all the brilliant bars, cafes, restaurants and boutiques that are peppered right across both of our harbour sides. We also have a diverse selection of vendors at this year's event, offering everything from award-winning cheeses and small-batch preserves to Cornish hot pots, vineyard wines and indulgent cakes, showcasing the very best of Cornish producers. It is set to be another truly fantastic event."

Make a Weekend of It

The festival is free to attend and organised by local volunteers, offering an affordable day out for both residents and holidaymakers.

Visitors are being encouraged to stay in Looe and enjoy the wider area. Cornish Collection, the festival's accommodation partner, offers more than 100 self-catering properties in the town.

Helena Jaycock, Director of Operations at Cornish Collection, said, "September is such a perfect time to visit East Cornwall. The summer rush is over, but the sea is still warm and without wishing to tempt fate, we generally get good weather. The Looe Food + Drink Festival brings a whole host of additional reasons to come and experience our historical setting, all of which is very much 'in vogue' at the moment given the ongoing films and TV programmes that are being set here. I'm personally very much looking forward to enjoying the exceptional chef line-up at this year's Festival."

For more details, visit the festival's official Instagram or head to www.looefoodanddrinkfest.com.

For advice on drinking responsibly, visit DrinkAware