Top Chefs Join the Line-Up for the “Glastonbury of Food” Malton Food Lovers Festival 24 – 26 May 2025

Apr 7

7th April 2025

Some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs from MasterChef, Great British Menu, and The Great British Bake Off will be taking to the stage at this year’s Malton Food Lovers Festival. Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend (24–26 May 2025), this renowned festival - one of the largest free food events in the North - will transform Malton town centre into a food lovers paradise.

Freya Cox, the first vegan baker to compete on The Great British Bake Off, will showcase her talents on Saturday, 24 May, followed by Rowan Claughton, a fan favourite from the 2023 series, on Sunday, 25 May. They join MasterChef UK semi-finalist Yemi Adelekan (2022) and a host of esteemed food writers and restaurateurs, offering live demonstrations to inspire festival-goers with culinary ideas and inspiration.

“Malton may be a small market town, but its Food Lovers Festival highlights its significant role in Yorkshire’s culinary scene,” says Mark Brayshaw of Visit Malton CIC, which organizes the event. “This year, we’re thrilled to welcome local talents like Ollie Farrar from Forty-Six, Nathan Kelly, head chef at Castle Howard, Great British Menu finalist Callum Leslie of The Black Swan and Mark Hudson from Tykes at Sandburn Hall. Our very own Gilly Robinson, who runs The Cook’s Place, will co-host the chef demos, asking the burning questions that every food enthusiast wants answered.”

Beyond the demonstration stage, festival-goers can explore over 100 market stalls in and around Malton’s famous Market Place, with a strong emphasis on Yorkshire-made products. The event is free to attend and offers a diverse range of culinary delights, from award-winning cheeses and handcrafted sauces to freshly made pasta and gourmet scotch eggs.

“We always say: arrive hungry and leave with bags full of delicious treats,” Mark adds. “Our street food selection is incredible this year, with everything from award-winning fish & chips by Millers to Italian pizza, Thai street food, Yorkshire pudding wraps, Greek gyros, French crêpes, and more. The picnic area, complete with benches and live music, makes for a fantastic al fresco dining experience.”

Artisan food producers like Little Sutton Spice Company (specialty seasonings), Safari Shack (biltong and dried meats), Harry’s Hot Honey (chili-infused honey), and Sweet Whispers (desserts catering to special diets) will join a stellar lineup of independent food makers, offering something for every palate.

The festival offers an all-round celebration of food and culture, with buskers, choirs, brass bands, children’s entertainment, book signings at Kemps Book Shop, and a vintage children’s funfair adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

In addition, The Talbot will host the Malton Grill & Smoke Festival, featuring The Whole Hog Barbecue Competition on 24 & 25 May. Some of the UK’s top BBQ teams will battle it out over seven rounds, filling the Derwent Valley with the irresistible aroma of flame-grilled meats. Like the Food Lovers Festival, this event is also free to attend.

While parking in Malton town centre is free, spaces fill up fast. Visitors are encouraged to use the Park & Ride service, signposted from the A64, with a £7.50 parking fee that includes free shuttle buses to and from the festival site.

For more details, visit www.visitmalton.com/food-festival-yorkshire.