May / June foodie diary

The latest South West foodie news and events for your calendar

Feast at the farm

Nancarrow Farm in Truro is hosting Farm Supper feasts on May 11 and 18, where visitors will dine in the oak barn or courtyard (weather dependent) and tuck into seasonal dishes crafted from ingredients grown on the farm. Guests can choose between two sittings (5.30pm or 8pm) and also take advantage of overnight accommodation options. Tickets cost £50.

Beachside food and frolics

Swing by St Ives Food and Drink Festival on May 12‑14 for gourmet thrills on the coast. The free‑to‑attend event, hosted by local restaurateur and chef Mick Smith, will take place on Cornwall’s Porthminster Beach. Star chefs Jack Stein, Kathy Slack, Ana Ortiz and Adam Banks will showcase their skills on the demo stage, and there’ll be live music from The Scribes, Showhawk Duo and Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys. Tickets are required for the Evening Music Sessions – prices start at £13.50.

Plant-based pop-up

Roaming restaurant Greenhouse – Plant Based Dining, run by ambitious chef and chartered environmentalist Rachel Steeds, is the new produce‑led dining experience making waves in Bristol and Bath. Rachel hosts regular pop‑up feasting nights and chef’s table events, which often sell out months in advance. On May 13 and June 10, she’ll host a relaxed supper at The Manor Hall at Coalpit Heath in Bristol (£27 for four courses), which will be followed on May 17 and June 21 by infotaining dining experiences at Bristol’s Little Kitchen Cookery School (£50 for five courses).

Gut-friendly feasting

Throughout 2023, Mark Hix is inviting chefs of note to join him in the kitchen of his Lyme Regis restaurant. On May 17, author and gut‑health expert Naomi Devlin will prepare a four‑course dinner at The Oyster & Fish House and share her wisdom on how to boost gut health through food and drink choices. Tickets cost £65.

Sniff out new French faves

Mark Banham of Morrish & Banham wine merchant in Dorset will host a Loire Valley and Beaujolais tasting event at his Dorchester bottle shop on May 25, and another on May 26 at the sister venue in Bridport. Guests will be guided through a curated flight of distinctive drops and get to glean pro tasting tips. Tickets cost £25.

Falmouth’s first food fest

Considering Falmouth’s vibrant dining scene, it was only a matter of time before the harbour town got a foodie festival of its own. The first Falmouth Food Festival will take place at Church Street car park on May 26‑28. Visit to enjoy native and global cuisine from local food traders, a well‑stocked bar care of Verdant Brewing Co., quality crafts from local makers and live music.

Seaweed appreciation day

Whether you’re a seaweed fan or simply intrigued by the marine plants’ nutritional benefits, you should head to Clovelly in north Devon for the fishing village’s Seaweed Festival on May 28. Experts will be at the quayside to provide advice on foraging, cooking and crafting using seaweed.

Taste of the tides

Join head chef Ollie Wyatt of The Alverton in Truro for a series of exclusive tasting events. The first, Taste of Truro, takes place on June 3 and will celebrate Cornwall’s thriving seafood culture through six courses crafted from the local catch. Ollie will provide an insight into the creation of each dish while sommelier Yohann Thuillier delivers top‑notch wine pairings. Tickets cost £60.

Tom Kerridge’s Pub Extravaganza

The TV chef’s Pub in the Park festival returns to Royal Victoria Park in Bath on June 16‑18. Expect to see big‑name chefs such as Marco Pierre White cooking up a storm in the demo tent or firepit, while headliners Example, McFly and Gabrielle blast tunes from the main stage. Food is the overarching theme and festival‑goers will get to chow down on dishes from pop‑up pubs and restaurants. Tickets from £47.20.

Say cheese

If you’re partial to the perennially good pairing of cheese and wine, don’t miss Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival at Montpellier Gardens on June 23‑25. Visit for discussions and delectables centred around vino and fromage, as well as street theatre, demos in the chef’s kitchen and live music. Tickets from £7.

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