Nantwich Food Festival introduces some great exhibitors and fantastic live music

The Nantwich Food Festival exhibitor team, Julian, Linda and Nigel, just love their work volunteering for the festival – ensuring that they re-book our favourites, whilst making space for some of the niche food and drink producers that are so popular at our lovely festival.

All of these exhibitors and more – numbering around 200 in total, are spread around the town, filling both of the huge food courts and spreading through the market-style town centre over the festival weekend September 4th - 6th inclusive; it certainly looks that we will be spoiled for choice.

First up, the exhibitors they describe as ‘Loyal Locals’: It wouldn’t be Nantwich Food Festival without the great coffee from Nantwich’s Crave, the tasty pies from Sandbach’s Cheshire Pie Company and the yummy, additive-free bread from Food for Thought in Crewe. Fridge-fresh pesto can be found at Chester’s Hemingways, plus for those with a sweet tooth, look no further than Balterley’s Marshmallow and S’More. The gin lovers amongst us will be pleased that both local gin producers Three Wrens Gins and Nantwich Gin will feature – of course!

You will be delighted to hear that loyal exhibitors from outside Cheshire will again include Daddy Cool’s Chilli Sauce, serving everything from jams, pickles and dry rubs too – truly made with passion in the High Peak.

Hallsford Farm Produce from Carlisle bring with them not only Traditional Cumberland Sausages (PGI), but also hard-to-find mutton and hogget.  Turning to drinks, the award winning Hafod Brewing Company will again be in Nantwich; they are an independent, family brewery from Mold, plus Stoke on Trent’s Just Perfect Wines will return with their lovely prosecco. The team just has to make space for the ever-popular Rossendale’s Mr Fitzpatrick’s award-winning vintage cordials – 32 vegan and gluten free ones on offer!

Linda is pleased to announce that Grasmere Gingerbread will make a welcome return, selling not just gingerbread, but also fudge and bullion chocolate bars.

Turning to new exhibitors, Pimp your Mayo bring with them seasoning blends to add great tastes to your mayo creations. Liverpool’s The Cheese Counter will be selling a wide range of artisan cheese truckles. There is also the interesting sounding 8:22 from St Helens, whose chefs produce unusual pickles and relishes in small batches.

New to Nantwich with Sweet Company hails from Ellesmere Port and produces all things honey-related – with real fruits, superfoods and also honey infusions, whilst Stonehouse Smokery sells such delights as smoked olives, butter and sea salt plus venison and pheasant charcuterie. The final new exhibitor to feature right now is Buck & Birch, who produce the amazing sounding AELDER – a wild-spiced elderberry liqueur and AMAROSA - a wild Scottish spritz liqueur.

Turning to the great live music you can expect, the two live music stages are sponsored by Snugbury’s at Love Lane, and by Utowpia Caravans and Motorhomes for the Bowling Green area music stage; the festival organisers thank them wholeheartedly for their sponsorship. Cheshire's Silk Radio will manage both music stages and provide the continuity to ensure that there is plenty of music and interest to keep us all entertained.

Festival Volunteer, Kevin Lemon organises all the entertainment is these areas and is keen to introduce the line-up for Festival Friday: Love Lane (Snugbury’s) stage first: Robin Soleimani of Stepping Lane kicks off the party atmosphere at midday with what will be a great solo set. Next up is Dave Chesworth, who has been a classic vocalist performing internationally and throughout the North West. Focusing now on his own song-writing and a tribute to the songs of Cat Stevens, Bacharach, Lionel Richie and Neil Diamond to name a few. Next to hit the stage is the very local, quirky uke player, singer-songwriter Marc Gallagher.

Mid afternoon brings the talented guitarist and solo singer Erika Ignata, who performs music that’s all about good vibes, big energy, and getting people moving. With fun songs and a feel for reading the room, every set turns into a party!

The ever-popular duo, Baxter brings their energy to the penultimate set before Friday night headliners, Tokyo Misfires hit the stage, with their high energy 80s and 90s party music.

Meanwhile over at the Bowling Green (Utowpia) stage Festival Friday kicks off at 12.30 with Kelley Tigerheart, a versatile Nantwich vocalist, known for her love of jazz, soul, and classic rock. Her set is all about great music that makes you feel something; expect a mix of laid-back tunes and big vocals, with plenty of heart behind every song.

How do you top that then!

Well, with the three-piece Angels of Harlem, who came together to celebrate their love of U2 and to give people the opportunity to enjoy the best of U2’s back catalogue in a live setting all year round.

Oscar Phillips is next and is well known to Nantwich folks – a young, supremely talented guy who blends raw folk and acoustic grunge classics with bold, message-driven song-writing.

Mid afternoon sets are performed by the ever-popular alternative rock/pop duo Minstrels of Mischief and the high energy sound created by the lovely Disco Divas.

The awesome, five-piece band XL5 will finish off the night; renowned for entertaining the crowds with classics from decades of music, they will leave us with an unforgettable night.

Finally, the Festival organisers want to ensure you don’t miss out if you want to nominate your favourite business for this year’s Nantwich Food Awards. 

You have only until June 30th to make your nominations via the Nantwich Food Festival website:

https://www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk/food-awards/

The awards range from Best Restaurant, Cafe, Pub with Food and other Awards too, to the very popular Award for Taste of Nantwich. A massive 8 Awards will be awarded this year.

All details of the awards and how to nominate your favourites are available on the website, so don’t delay!

Once all the nominations have been received, voting for the nominees opens, so the timetable looks like this:

Now until June 30th - you can nominate your favourites.

July 1st to September 6th - you can vote for the nominees.