Looe Food & Drink Festival Announces A Welcome Return For 2025

The refreshed Looe Food & Drink Festival was one of the big hits of the Cornish calendar last year, and the organising team has announced that the 2025 event will make a welcome return on Sunday 14th September, supported by Sharp’s Brewing Co, The Sardine Factory Restaurant and Cornish Collection.

The one-day festival is centred around the Chef’s Demonstration Stage which is curated by the town’s acclaimed restauranteur and TV star Ben Palmer, and set in the scenic location of East Looe’s Buller Quay.  Around the harbourside, an impressive array of food and drink stalls from south west-based farmers, producers and makers add to the culinary discovery opportunities, accompanied by the very best of Cornish beers and cider from Sharp’s Brewing Co.  

Looe Food & Drink Festival is organised by local volunteers and the festival theatre and events on Buller Quay will again be completely free of charge, making it all an affordable day out for local residents and holidaymakers alike.

Celebrated local chefs and national culinary stars are lining up to appear on the festival stage which will be co-hosted by Ben Palmer of the Sardine Factory and Yamas, alongside Ed Hughes, the popular Beer Sommelier at Sharp’s Brewing Co.

With many more to be announced in the upcoming months, currently confirmed attendees include Chris Eden who has recently returned to Cornwall as Executive Head Chef at Watergate Bay, TV celebrity James Strawbridge, Dorian Janmaat of Ardor St Ives and Andi Tuck of The Tartan Fox. 

Also performing on the Looe Food & Drink Festival stage will be Stephane Delourme, formerly Rick Stein’s Head Chef, Mick Smith of the Porthminster Beach Café, Mike Naidoo, Head Chef of Michelin-starred Morston Hall, and Instagram foodie influencer Rose Cant, otherwise known as @mumonmuddylane who will compete with her partner Eddy Rains, in their fun Chef Vs Cook format.  Local Looe chefs Nikos Oikonomopoulos of Yamas and Fred Alsop of the Fish Market are also set to pull in an enthusiastic crowd.

Surrounding events will also include the intriguing Grape Vs Grain feasting ‘contest’ that will take place at The Sardine Factory on the eve of the Festival – Saturday 13^th September.  Hosted by Sharp’s Brewing Co’s Beer Sommelier Ed Hughes, this special dinner will see bespoke beer pairings being tested against traditional wine pairings, all accompanying a six-course tasting dinner, masterminded by Ben Palmer.  Grape Vs Grain events always sell out quickly so it’s recommended that interested parties contact The Sardine Factory asap to book. Other bars, cafes and restaurants around the double-harboured town of Looe are also expected to announce special events and menus in support of the Festival itself. 

Ben Palmer of The Sardine Factory and Yamas says, “This is my home town and like everyone who is either from here, or who lives here, I know what an incredible location Looe is.  Last year’s rejuvenation of the Looe Food & Drink Festival was such an invigorating success and it’s such 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.  It’s incredible to see the whole town turning out, and so rewarding to see our fellow chefs and the thousands of extra visitors realising what a beautiful location we have, and what a sense of community spirit we all share in this very special place.”

Cornwall’s longstanding sponsor of food and drinks festivals, Sharp’s Brewing Co, will again be bringing their multi-award-winning UK’s number 1 cask ale Doom Bar to the harbourside setting alongside contemporary classics such as Offshore and Cold River Cider. 

Sharp’s Brewing Co’s Ed Hughes said, “Last year’s Looe Food & Drink Festival was such phenomenal fun and it’s brilliant for us all to be coming to the Cornish ‘East End’ and to be working with such talented and passionate chefs to showcase the very best of local ingredients, cooking combinations and drinks pairings.   We’re so happy to be supporting Ben 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.”

Festivalgoers are encouraged to make a weekend of it and experience all that Looe has to offer.  The festival’s accommodation partner and supporting sponsor Cornish Collection, provides an unrivalled lettings service to holidaymakers with the largest selection of holiday lettings in Looe. The company, which specialises in self-catering holidays in the area, features over 100 properties ranging from sea and river view apartments to stunning 14 person houses.  With some still available to rent over the festival weekend in mid-September now is the time to look.

Cornish Collection’s Director of Operations Helena Jaycock says, “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.”

Further announcements about more chef appearances and surrounding entertainment will be made in the coming months. The official event Instagram is on @LooeFoodAndDrinkFest