Celebrate the revival of
British food culture
In Association with the Elizabeth David Estate
Exploring our past and championing our future with the finest food and drink of the South Downs & Coast.
At Stansted Park
Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6DX
Starts at 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
7 & 8 June 2025
The South Downs Food Festival is back for 2025
Set once again in the stunning grounds of Stansted Park. Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, this year’s event promises a vibrant weekend of top-quality food, drink, and entertainment — with the support of an exciting new line-up of chefs, producers and activities.
The festival will champion food in season, from locally grown asparagus and strawberries to chalk stream crayfish & trout, and wild muntjac venison to foraged fennel. Local produce will be prepared and cooked using global influences, from Maori lamb to Sri Lankan pork BBQ for a truly inspirational weekend of food and drink.
Festival-goers can look forward to a rich celebration of regional produce, culinary creativity, family fun and thought-provoking discussions, thanks to the backing of Le Creuset, Lexus, Hambledon Vineyards, Bedales School, Vulcanus Grills, Thermomix, and Barfoots. Their involvement marks the continued growth of the festival, now firmly established as a must-visit destination for food lovers across the South Downs and beyond.
Festival partner Hampshire Fare is proud to support this celebration of the region’s outstanding food and drink.
A True Feast for the Senses
This year’s street food lineup brings the best of Hampshire and Sussex together with global influences — from Mexican tacos and Vietnamese banh mi to smoky brisket, hog roasts, Wagyu burgers, sushi, and handmade fishcakes. Wash it all down with top-tier English sparkling wine, ales, and ciders.
With a curated producers’ market, family-friendly entertainment, local food heroes, and live music all weekend, the South Downs Food Festival 2025 is set to deliver an unforgettable experience — all while supporting Rowans Hospice, our chosen charity partner.
Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
Join us in the heart of the South Downs, 7–8 June, for a weekend of flavour, inspiration, and community spirit.
For press enquiries, images, interviews, or media accreditation, please contact: Info@southdownsfoodfestival.com
“We’re thrilled to have such a strong and diverse group of chefs, producers and sponsors on board,” said Johnny Grey, Festival Director. “Each partner brings something unique — from luxury cookware and cutting-edge tech to world-class wines and forward-thinking education. Together, they’re helping us raise the bar for visitors, chefs, and exhibitors alike.”
Festival Highlights for 2025 Include:
The Fire and Forage Stage
The Fire and Forage Stage, hosted by chef Jacqueline Wise using the spectacular Vulcanus Grill, showcasing some of the nations favourite BBQ chefs, including Hilary from @BBQLads, @Matblak, @slim_ricks_smokehouse and amazing local talent @woodfire_camping and @the_earlofmarchlavant. The menu will include local ingredients such as Sussex lamb, wood pigeon and plank smoked trout, not forgetting seasonal stars Asparagus and tenderstem.
Lexus Pavilion with live music
Enjoy legendary cocktails and mocktails from Grey’s Bars in the Lexus Pavilion with live music from bands such as Superstrings, The Mike Fry Trio and The Groove Surgeons and others while you explore the latest Lexus models, enjoying live jazz, blending sustainable luxury with musical flair
Hambledon Wine Estate Bar
A refined space offering award-winning sparkling wines paired with local delicacies.
Kids Zone
Learn circus skills such as juggling, diabolo, poi spinning, staff spinning, plate spinning, flower sticks, hula hoops and hat tricks at Jake's Circus, or enjoy the bouncy castles and other games in the kids zone.
Le Creuset Main stage -SATURDAY
At the Le Creuset Main stage, the first day will host the Hambledon Vineyard Talks on regional food, with award-winning authors: Dan Saladino, presenter of Radio 4’s ’The Food Programme’ and author of ‘Eating to Extinction’, Alexandra Harris, author of ’The Rising Down’ discussing the people of the Arun Valley through history and the landscape architect Kim Wilkie. The winner of the Green Michelin Star, Ivan Tisdall-Downes will cook up an incredible dish of foraged South Downs produce for our lunchtime demo.
Hampshire Fare Cookery Theatre
Local chefs and producers will be showcasing Hampshire’s finest food and drink, and you can learn from the people who’ve toiled away to make delicious produce, with inspirational recipes and cookery demonstrations. Discover the amazing chefs, restaurants and artisan producers on your doorstep.
Live Fire Cooking
BBQ experts including Matthew Burgess and the BBQ Lads showcase their skills on cutting-edge Vulcanus Grills and Big Green Eggs.
Le Creuset Main stage -SUNDAY
On Sunday, the Bedales School talks on ‘Food for Thought’ will explore the challenges of how to nourish, fuel and keep healthy our school kids on tiny budgets, with award-winning Park Community School chefs, the founder of charity ‘Chefs in Schools’ Nicole Pisani, and Thomasina Miers. We will have a chef cook off and learn the incredible story of how Nicole Pisani went from being Head Chef at Ottolenghi’s famed Nopi restaurant in Soho to being a dinner lady (and co-founder with Henry Dimbleby of the charity Chefs in Schools.)
Interactive Thermomix Kitchen
Hands-on sessions bringing culinary tech into family kitchens.
Live Demos
Spotlighting Hampshire’s best seasonal produce, presented by leading local chefs and South Downs food producers.
