Taking place in August, the Foodies festival has a new home at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, and welcomes Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins plus MasterChef champion Tom Rhodes.
Foodies Festival founder, Edinburgh-based Sue Hitchen said: “We are very much looking forward to our new home at the Mod 2, and running the festival in their beautiful grounds on the front lawn.
"It’s an exciting move which gives the festival the opportunity to build on the strong relationships between food
and art.
"I’m so pleased to bring Foodies back to the city and to celebrate the delicious local produce and wonderful restaurants.
“There has never been a better time to support local businesses and food producers in the region, and we are all ready to enjoy a fun day out with friends.”
Peter Sawkins, who was Bake Off’s youngest ever victor, added “I am really excited to be baking live at Foodies Festivals this summer and can’t wait to meet all you keen bakers out there.
"It will be a great day out and I’m looking forward to sharing my best baking tips and recipes with you.”
Tom Rhodes, champion of MasterChef 2021 will be joining the star-studded line up, cooking live to an audience for the first time since appearing on the hit BBC TV show.
He said: “I’m a huge fan of Foodies Festival, so I’m over the moon that it’s back this year.
"As well as all the amazing food, drinks and live music, I’ll be there and can’t wait to share my favourite recipes and
quick kitchen tricks.
"The Foodies Festival really feels like the perfect way to kick back and celebrate this summer and I’m excited to see you all.”
Star names also include: MasterChef: The Professionals champion, Alex Webb, MasterChef 2021 finalists Alexina Anatole and Laura Michael, Bake Off 2016 champion Candice Brown, and Great British Menu contestants Scott Smith and Amy Elles.
As well as the food and drink action, there will be more than 50 talented bands and artists participating across the long weekend, including showcases from Edinburgh Fringe participants.
Chart-topping Glasgow band, The Ronains, will be one of the many acts performing, following their recent number one on the iTunes Rock Chart with ‘Flower of Scotland’, and Edinburgh favourites, Pork Pie, make a welcome return to the live music stage.
MasterChef finalist, Laura Michael, will not only be performing in the Chefs Theatre, but also showing off her musical talents.
Laura said: “I am so excited to be involved in the Foodies Festival this year.
"I have loads of great recipes to show you and you may well catch me on the live music stage too. Can’t wait to see you all in the summer.”
Foodies Festival began in 2004 and was dubbed the “Gastro-Glastonbury”.
At the three-day festival, visitors can enjoy the Chefs Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre with wine, champagne, beer and cocktail making masterclasses, a Shopping Village with award-winning artisan producers, plus tuck into a range of food at the Street Food Avenue.
Kids will also be kept entertained at the Foodies festival, with a packed programme of events such as The Kids Cookery Theatre, which is run by SuperChefs and has aTeddy Bear Picnic theme, plus a new, extended Kids Zone, Craft Tent and funfair.
Other attractions include Foodies famous Chilli eating competition, which will feature a world record attempt from the reigning UK champion.
Over 200 exhibitors will showcase their produce, providing festival-goers with a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of Edinburgh - and try a huge selection of delicious food from around the world.
Alex Webb, MasterChef: The Professionals champion 2020 said of the festival: “I'm absolutely delighted to be touring around the country with Foodies Festivals this summer.
"I’ve been working on lots of delicious new recipes and I can’t wait to see you all in person and cook live on stage.”
Scott Smith, Chef Patron at Fhior, added: “I’m so thrilled that Foodies Festival will be returning this year.
"After the 12 months we have all faced, this event is more important than ever to allow our industry to reconnect with all the people and customers that we have missed seeing. And also to just have a really good time."
For the third year running, the festival is supporting Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) with tickets raising money for UK-wide homelessness charity Crisis.
MAH founder Emma Rule said: "The last year has been incredibly difficult for charities, we are so pleased to be back at Foodies with our music stage and brilliant artists, raising much needed funds.”
The festival takes place from Friday 6 August - Sunday 8 August at the Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art (Modern Two), 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS
Tickets are on sale now online and by phoning 0844 9951111
