A new free food festival, Flavours of Yorkshire, at the Galtres Retreat & Lodge Park in Pickering, has revealed its line-up of chefs who will be demonstrating their culinary skills on the demo kitchen stage.
Star TV Celebrity chef James Martin will hold court for three cookery demonstrations on Saturday 4 July, then on Sunday 5 July the demo stage will feature local food heroes – Master Patissier Florian Poirot; Gilly Robinson, founder of top-rated cookery school, The Cook’s Place; Yorkshire Pasta entrepreneur Kathryn Bumby; Richie Stamp-Mason the development chef at Tofoo & Co and Masterchef finalist Ollie Farrar from FortySix, Malton.
Flavours of Yorkshire is being organised by Mark Brayshaw, who was the tour-de-force behind Malton’s Food Lover’s Festival, which ended last year. “I know that there is still demand, both from the public, who attended the last Malton festival in their droves, and from the local producers who see this as brilliant showcase for their products – not only for sales on the day, but to engage with a loyal customer base through online sales and home delivery,” says Mark. “We’ve got a brilliant venue here – Galtres Park – where we have space to grow this into a large-scale annual event, with free admission and free on-site parking. There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy, so we’re confident it will be a great weekend!”
Alongside the headline demonstrations, the festival will showcase a curated line-up of Yorkshire’s finest food and drink producers, street food traders and artisan specialists, giving visitors the opportunity to sample and purchase some of the region’s best produce all in one place. From premium preserves and mouth-watering cheese, to baked goods, sweet treats and locally distilled beverages, Flavours of Yorkshire aims to celebrate the richness and diversity of the county’s food and drink scene. Many traders will also be offering tastings, with opportunities for visitors to meet the producers and learn more about the stories behind their products.
The festival will also include The Whole Hog Barbecue competition – which the public are invited to enter! With all meat provided, competitors use their own flavourings and skill to win over the judges with a vast array of pork products. Entries must be made at compbbquk.com/whole-hog-2026 by 19 June to secure a spot.
A programme of live music and entertainment will create a vibrant festival atmosphere throughout both days. With plenty of outdoor space at Galtres Park, visitors can relax, enjoy great food, and make a full day of the experience. Anyone worried that the weekend clashes with the British Grand Prix need not be concerned – the race will be shown on the big screen in the festival bar area!
Mark Brayshaw added: “This Flavours of Yorkshire event will be friendly, welcoming and full of energy, while also building something new that can grow year on year. We’re bringing together some of Yorkshire’s best chefs and producers, but also making sure it remains accessible, with free entry so everyone can come along and enjoy it.”
The demonstration kitchen will run throughout the weekend, with chefs sharing practical tips, seasonal inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights into their cooking. Tickets must be booked in advance for James Martin’s demos on Saturday 4 July, but the demos taking place on Sunday are free of charge.
For more information visit www.rhp-events.co.uk/flavours-of-yorkshire or follow Flavours of Yorkshire on social media.
