The food, drink, and music line up for Cardiff Food and Drink Festival in Cardiff Bay has been revealed, and it includes a feast of festival favourites as well as first timers serving up foodie delights fit for a king.
Among the newcomers at the festival, which runs from Friday 7th until Sunday 9thJuly, are Cardiff-based ‘Let Them See Cake,’ with their range of cupcakes, macaroons, cookies and cookie sandwiches. Also at the Producer’s Fair will be festival regulars ‘The Garlic Farm,’ bringing their range of condiments and chutneys from the Isle of Wight.
Lovers of Welsh Cakes can head to another festival newcomer ‘Fat Bottom Welsh Cakes’ at the Farmer’s Market, whose range also includes some unique and unusual versions of the traditional bakestones. Also making their debut this year, with a selection of lovely gins, will be ‘Cascave Gin.’
Over at the Street Food Piazza, stars of the Cardiff Street Food scene and Cardiff Market residents Bao Selecta will be bringing their bao buns filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, peanut powder and fresh herbs to the festival for the first time. They’ll be joined by festival first-timers ‘Smokin Griddle,’ serving up a range of mouth-watering burgers, with a side of house-seasoned skin-on fries, and ‘MacDaddies Gourmet Mac and Cheese’ whose homemade marinades, and incredible toppings like hot pulled meat with truffle and gold, bring a new twist to a classic dish.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Cardiff Food and Drink Festival is a great opportunity to support independent businesses, and have a great day out. With some exciting new stalls alongside all the festival favourites, the line up for this year is shaping up to be a treat.”
It’s not just the food and drink that draws people to the festival year after year, it’s the live music from the bandstand. Hand-picked, local, grassroots and festival stalwarts in a range of genres from Balkan Gypsy Folk-punk, to Rockabilly, Reggae, Latin Jazz, and Ska, will soundtrack all three days of the festival.
Getting the party started on Saturday will be ‘Siglo 6′, a new Funk and Soul six-piece, featuring some of Cardiff’s best young musicians. ‘Los Musicos’ will bring a tropical party-vibe to the Oval Basin later on the Friday.
Saturday will see Wales’ National Folk Ensemble, ‘Avanc’, unearth and rework some forgotten musical gems, and legendary Cardiff diva, Dionne Bennett bring the unique soulful sound of ‘The Pepperseeds’ to the festival bandstand.
The fancy pickin’ skills, and sweet harmonies of Cardiff Bluegrass band, ‘Taff Rapids Stringband,’ will entertain the crowds on Sunday, and closing the festival will be red hot reggae band ‘Eden Roots Reggae Band.’
The distinctive red and white stalls of the Craft Market will also return, with an eclectic range of handmade arts and crafts, all curated by CraftFolk.
The festival is free to attend and no ticket is needed. But please visit the website for conditions of entry.
The festival runs from Friday 7th – Sunday 9th July.
Opening times are:
Friday: 12.00 – 22.00 (The Producers Fair and The Farmers Market close at 21.00)
Saturday: 11.00 – 22.00 (The Producers Fair and The Farmers Market close at 21.00)
Sunday: 11.00 – 19.00
