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MIX 56 CHESHIRE'S BEST MUSIC MIX
Nantwich Food Festival 2026: A Weekend to Remember
Nantwich Food and Drink Festival serves up a feast of success
Thousands of food lovers from across the UK and beyond descended on Nantwich town centre this weekend for the return of the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival – a free, three-day celebration of the very best in local produce, street food and culinary talent.
From bustling street-food stalls and artisan makers to the popular Cook Along sessions and the excitement of the Reaseheath College Food Theatre, the festival offered something for every appetite. Celebrity chefs, live demonstrations and family-friendly activities helped turn the historic town centre into a vibrant foodie destination once again.
The event’s success is a testament to the many volunteers who give their time and energy to make this unmissable FREE festival possible year after year. Congratulations to everyone involved – from stallholders and chefs to organisers, partners and the wider Nantwich community – for delivering another incredible celebration of local food and drink.
MIX56 was broadcasting live from the town on Saturday afternoon, meeting traders, chefs and visitors to capture the atmosphere and highlight some of the standout stars of the show.
Spotlight on To Pie For: award-winning pies flying out of the festival
First up on our broadcast trail, we met Lindsay from To Pie For in Warrington – a bakery whose pies are as impressive for their size as they are for their flavour.
Based at 68 Station Road North, Fearnhead, Warrington (WA2 0QG), To Pie For has built a reputation for generously “stuffed” pies packed with high-quality ingredients – and it’s no wonder they were selling out fast at Nantwich.
The Warrington-based business has collected more than 25 awards for its creations, including 15 wins at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray – one of the most prestigious pie competitions in the world. Adding to the momentum, To Pie For is also a finalist in the forthcoming Great British Food Awards 2026, with the final taking place on 30 October.
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To Pie For Ian
Lindsay and her team’s story – from local bakery to multi-award winner – is exactly the kind of success the festival loves to showcase: passionate producers, exceptional quality and a real connection with customers.
Sweet success: The Ellesmere Honey Company buzzes at Nantwich
Another highlight on our broadcast trail came from The Ellesmere Honey Company, whose enticing display drew a steady crowd of festival-goers keen to taste – and take home – some of Shropshire’s finest honey.
We caught up with head beekeeper and honey expert David, who explained how his team crafts 100% natural honey, carefully produced by his “army” of industrious bees across the picturesque landscapes of north Shropshire.
From wildflower meadows to local hedgerows, the surrounding countryside helps give his honey its distinctive flavour and character – and judging by the number of jars changing hands, there was clearly a huge appetite for nature’s superfood at the festival.
Of course, we couldn’t let a beekeeper walk away without asking the question everyone wonders about: has he ever been stung?
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Ellesmere Honey Company Ian
For visitors lucky enough to try a spoonful – or stock up for home – The Ellesmere Honey Company was a perfect reminder of how local producers are turning simple, natural ingredients into something truly special.
A cheese-lover’s dream in the heart of Nantwich
You couldn’t visit a food and drink festival in Cheshire without discovering cheese – after all, Cheshire Cheese holds the title of the oldest recorded cheese in history. It was only right, then, that our MIX56 trail led us to The Cheese Shop on Hospital Street, a permanent Nantwich gem and a true haven for anyone who loves great cheese.
We caught up with charismatic co-owner Nick Birchall, who runs the shop alongside Chris. Since opening in 2020, they’ve created what many visitors now describe as a cheese-lover’s dream: a warm, welcoming space with a vast array of produce and a striking open-plan chilled cheese store, where customers can watch cheeses being slowly matured and carefully cared for.
Unlike the festival’s visiting stalls, The Cheese Shop is a year-round fixture in the town – and its constant stream of five-star reviews suggests it’s quickly become a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
Nick and Chris also host regular cheese and wine tasting evenings, which have become incredibly popular; anyone planning a trip to Nantwich is encouraged to check the shop’s website for upcoming dates and book in advance.
And of course, we had to ask Nick the question every cheese lover wonders about: how can you tell when a cheese is past its best?
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Nick Birchall The Cheese Shop Ian
For festival-goers sampling their wares at Nantwich – or popping into Hospital Street later in the year – The Cheese Shop is proof that great local businesses can turn a simple love of food into a truly memorable experience.
Celebrity chefs bring star power to Reaseheath Food Theatre
No food and drink festival would be complete without a healthy stream of celebrity chefs sharing their skills – and this year’s Reaseheath College Food Theatre delivered in style.
Screen favourites Lisa Faulkner and John Torode drew standing-room-only crowds for not one, but two live demonstrations, offering a real insight into how the simplest ingredients can be combined to create something truly special.
Nantwich proved to be slightly “dangerous territory” for Lisa in the best possible way: the town is also home to Christine Hamilton, who famously competed on Celebrity MasterChef – the very show Lisa went on to win in 2010. But all is well on the culinary front; in fact, the two have worked together since, so the atmosphere was entirely friendly – and very much in the spirit of celebration!
A particular treat for the audience was an unannounced appearance by Lisa’s husband, John Torode, who stepped into the live kitchen to provide a helping hand during the demonstration.
The couple revealed they are just about to publish a cookbook together, and are already building an impressive collection of recipes on their popular YouTube channel, John and Lisa’s Kitchen and Home – a resource well worth checking out for home-cook inspiration.
During our chat, MIX56’s Ian asked John about his early career, which began at the legendary Coq Au Vin restaurant in Melbourne – and wondered why this incredible dish seems to have disappeared from many menus in recent years. Lisa then offered an exclusive: they’ve got it all wrapped up in a pie recipe featured in their forthcoming cookbook, bringing a classic back to the table in a whole new way!
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Nantwich Food Festival 2026: A Weekend to Remember Ian
For festival-goers lucky enough to be in the Food Theatre, the session was a reminder of how great cooking is as much about technique, timing and trust in simple ingredients as it is about big names – and a tantalising preview of what’s to come from John and Lisa’s new book.
Sourdough secrets and a simple message: eat what you like
Meanwhile, Ian also caught up with Nigel Brown of Born and Bread and the Nigel Brown Cooking Academy, who offered some fascinating insights into the sometimes mysterious world of sourdough.
From understanding fermentation to getting that perfect crust, Nigel’s passion for bread-making was clear – and his tips were a hit with festival-goers keen to improve their own baking at home.
The conversation also turned to a national campaign Nigel fronted a few years ago: Eat What You Like. The message was refreshingly simple: have what you fancy – no food is “bad” for you, but always in moderation.
It’s an approach that fits perfectly with the spirit of the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival: celebrating quality, variety and the joy of eating, without guilt or gimmicks.
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Nigel Brown Ian
For anyone inspired by Nigel’s demonstration, his academy and Born and Bread offer further workshops and resources for home bakers looking to take their sourdough – and overall cooking confidence – to the next level.
From field to fork: Reaseheath College puts skills in the spotlight
Finally, we met Master Butcher Gary Evans from Reaseheath College, who presented his own series of inspiring demonstrations in the Food Theatre. Gary – a dynamic and engaging presence on stage – gave us an insight into the incredible teaching facilities at Reaseheath and how he is one of many champions behind the college’s field-to-fork initiative.
From explaining provenance and butchery skills to showing how careful preparation can transform everyday cuts, Gary’s sessions highlighted the importance of training the next generation of food professionals. For students, producers and visitors alike, the demonstrations were a powerful reminder of how education, skill and respect for ingredients lie at the heart of a thriving local food scene.
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Gary Evans Reaseheath College Ian
As the sun sets on another unforgettable festival
As the sun sets on Sunday, that’s a wrap for what surely must be one of the best food and drink festivals in the country. From record attendance and happy vibes to countless delicious discoveries, this year’s event has left Nantwich with happy memories and a renewed sense of pride in its food community.
Huge congratulations once again to all the volunteers, traders, chefs, partners and visitors who made it possible. The stalls may be packed away, but the conversations, recipes and inspirations sparked over the weekend will linger long after – and we’re already looking forward to next year’s festival!
Keep up to date at the Nantwich Food Festival Website.
