MasterChef 2023 champion Chariya Khattiyot, and finalists Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster will reunite at Foodies Festival to cook live together for the first time since the nail-biting TV final, which aired last week.
Foodies Festival, known as Gastro-Glastonbury, will take place at Hylands Park across 3 days from 23rd – 25th June. Featuring live cooking demonstrations from top chefs drawn from the ranks of MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, plus top-rated Michelin-starred and award-winning chefs. Music headliners include Sophie Ellis-Bextor with a full band performance and boyband, Five.
MasterChef 2023 champion Chariya Khattiyot, and finalists Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster will be reunited for the first time to cook together in front of a live audience and speak about their incredible experience on the show. Over 3 million people watched the trio battle it out for the coveted trophy last week, with judges John Torode and Greg Wallace choosing the eventual winner.
Chariya Khattiyot, said: “Taking part in MasterChef and becoming the champion has been the most incredible and exhilarating experience! I’m so delighted to be joining the Foodies Festival tour in Essex alongside Anurag and Omar. I’ll be cooking some of my favourite recipes in the Chefs’ Theatre and I want to show the world that Northern Thai food is amazing, because it really is. I just love to see people’s faces light up when they eat my food.”
In the final show, John Torode commented: “Chariya’s food has always been honest and from the heart. It’s always exciting, it’s always unusual and it’s always been beautiful and addictive”
Essex-based finalist, Anurag Aggarwal, impressed the judges with cooking inspired by the vibrancy of Indian hertitage and the elegance of European cuisine, with Greg Wallace commenting “I feel like a very, very honoured guest”. Omar Foster also received high praise from Greg; he stated that Omar had challenged their minds and tastes throughout, adding “I hope you walk away from here knowing you are a very special cook”
Other star names appearing in the live cooking theatres include: Great British Bake Off 2022 winner, Syabira Yusoff, MasterChef champions Tom Rhodes and Dhruv Baker, cookery author and Sunday Times columnist, Skye McAlpine, star of Great British Menu, Paul Croasdale, chef-patron from 3 AA Rosette awarded Flitch of Bacon, Dunmow and Sunday Times best selling author, cook and award-winning blogger, Becky Excell
Music headliners include, chart-topping disco diva, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who’s currently going head to head with Noel Gallagher and Foo Fighters for a number 1 spot in the official album charts with her new album HANA. Bringing some high-energy 90’s nostalgia to the stage, Brit award-winning boyband Five will also appear.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: ‘Foodies Festivals are completely gorgeous – lovely people, food, drink and music.. what more can a festival offer? It’s a wonderful weekend for the whole family to enjoy! Perfect for singing and dancing together, under a blue sky’
Showcasing the best of Essex, many of the most highly acclaimed Michelin and multi-award-winning chefs will also appear, including: Michelin starred chef-patron, Jeff Galvin, from Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, chef-patron, Paul Wendholt, from Bib Gourmand awarded Kintsu in Colchester and head chef, Jon Hardy, from Michelin recommended Food By John Lawson, Leigh-on-Sea
New for Fridays: the festival launches ‘Cocktails, Cabaret and Cake’ – kicking off the weekend with a fun-fuelled schedule of events with a comprehensive selection of traditional and on-trend new cocktails, entertaining cabaret sessions, top tribute acts and local performers, all headlined by A Twist of ABBA.
In The Kids Cookery School, Foodies SuperChefs make cooking fun, helping younger guests to prepare delicious food which they can take away and enjoy. Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include tutored Champagne, Beer, Cider, Cocktail and Wine-tasting, including presentations from BBC expert, Joe Wadsack, and award-winning local breweries.
Visitors can browse the latest food trends in the Shopping Village, meet local producers in the Artisan Market and taste exotic and unusual new dishes in the Feasting Tent – which features a mouth-watering range of street food and delicacies from all four corners of the globe. Other attractions include a fairground, children’s activities, and family-friendly areas.
Dates and tickets
Hylands Park, Chelmsford, CM2 8FS
23rd – 25th June 2023
Day tickets from £3 (child) and £18 (adult)
Weekend tickets from £38 (3-day)
On sale now at www.foodiesfestival.com
