Saltburn Food Festival set for welcome return

Saltburn Food Festival to return on Sunday 30 July after four-year break

Teesside’s foodies have a huge treat ahead, with Saltburn Food Festival set to return after a four-year break on Sunday 30 July.

The last festival was held in 2019, so this year’s event will be the first since Covid and the subsequent post-Covid economic recovery ruled out 2020 and beyond.

A firm favourite on the national foodie calendar, the annual festival has previously been flagged up by The Sunday Times as one of the reasons why Saltburn is ‘one of the best places to live in the UK.’

Now, around 100 of the best local food producers from Teesside, the North East and North Yorkshire are set to join Saltburn’s much-loved independent foodies, as the town centre is again transformed into a buzzing festival village for a day packed full of good local food for all the family to enjoy.

Milton Street, Dundas Street East and West and the town’s Station Street will be closed to traffic, and become alive with the sights and smells of great local food.

A bustling street market will feature an exciting mix of world street food, veggie & vegan specials, local artisan bakers and cheese makers, locally produced beer, cider and gin, outdoor dining and picnic areas and street theatre to create a family-friendly festival right in the heart of the town.

The festival’s popular Live Food Theatre will also make a hugely welcome return on an outdoor stage in Station Square, featuring a tasty mix of some of the region’s best chefs and exciting newcomers.

Festival director Lorna Jackson co-owns Saltburn’s family-run Real Meals deli & bistro, and also manages the town’s popular monthly Farmers’ Market.

Lorna said: “It’s fantastic to be back for what we think is the tastiest day not only on Teesside but pretty much anywhere else in the country.

“It’s been a long hungry gap, but we’re looking forward to seeing all the festival favourites again plus some very exciting newcomers too.

“The festival grew out of a very simple idea – to celebrate the great local food we have right here on our own doorsteps in the North East and North Yorkshire – and the festival’s first few years were just incredible really.

“We started out by thinking ‘let’s see what happens’ and have been completely humbled that literally thousands of people have enjoyed some amazing days.”

As in previous years, and to help keep prices as affordable as possible for families to enjoy the day, admission to the festival remains free.

Lorna said: “I think it’s more important than ever to make sure that as many people as possible can afford a good day out.

“So, rather than having to fork out maybe £25 that some other festivals are charging for tickets, we think it’s better that people could use some of that money to give their tastebuds a treat and enjoy a fantastic day in Saltburn instead.

“The main thing I love about the festival is the huge sense of community it creates, with people mingling around and often meeting people they haven’t seen for years. All in friendly surroundings right in the heart of town. So we’re really looking forward to another exciting and enjoyable day, and we can’t wait to get cracking.”

Festival organisers are again encouraging visitors to leave the car at home and use a range of public transport, park and ride and special festival transport services instead.

Lorna said: “We’re currently putting the final touches to a range of special transport and park & ride options across the region, and we’re lucky to have bus and train services coming right into the heart of the town itself. So, give the car a holiday and enjoy a fantastic day.”

• Saltburn Food Festival: Sunday 30 July. 10am-6pm. FREE Admission. For further info & updates, follow Saltburn Food Festival on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saltburnfoodfestival

Photo attached: Looking forward to Saltburn Food Festival: (left-to-right): Charlotte Richmond of Brickyard Bakery, festival director Lorna Jackson, Sharon Kaur and Krishan Rauth of Really Indian. (Photos by Stuart Boulton).