Looking for something new to feast your eyes on this May? This month, explore some of the best market food Wales has to offer. Ciara Neligan rounds up food festivals across the country for you to dig into.
OLD SWAN BANK HOLIDAY BEER FESTIVAL
Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major – Fri 29 Apr – Mon 2 May
Good news for those who appreciate the refreshing taste of a cold beer as the Old Swan Bank Holiday Beer Festival will soon be underway. The historic pub will be serving up a range of beers from around Wales, including the likes of Otley, Tiny Rebel and Purple Moose, while live music will keep you entertained while you drink. Also look out for Knife and Fork’s wine tasting evenings.
Admission: free
Info: www.knifeandforkfood.co.uk
CAERPHILLY FOOD FESTIVAL
Caerphilly Town Centre – Sat 7 May
For delicious smells and mouth watering deals, Caerphilly will be holding its fifth annual food festival. The streets of Caerphilly will be filled with over 70 stalls for your enjoyment, browse through local delicacies, watch various food demonstrations and eat to your heart’s content! If this didn’t excite your inner foodie enough, there will be a farmer’s market with over 20 traders bringing fresh produce for you to purchase. To make the day even more exciting, Cadw is offering 2 for 1 entry into Caerphilly castle to support the food festival.
Admission: Free
Info: www.caerphilly.gov.uk/foodfestival
HAVERFOODFEST
Picton Centre, Haverfordwest – Sat 7 May
The brilliantly named Haverfoodfest is returning after last year’s success, with a number local businesses delivering all the best food they have to offer. For this day of foodie fun expect to see a demo kitchen hosted by some of S4C’s star chefs, a cookery school for children, including a Welsh cake demonstration, ‘The Plaice’ for all you fish lovers and even a Man Vs Food style competition. There will be over 40 stalls under cover and a selection of street food stalls surrounding the local area. To compliment the food there will be a mix of local singers and songwriters all in close proximity to a licensed bar.
Admission: Free
Info: www.haverfoodfest.co.uk
CHEESE AND CIDER WEEKEND
Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea – Sat 7 + Sun 8 May
For a fusion of some of Wales’ finest freshly produced cheese and home brewed cider, look no further than this weekend. The Gower Heritage Centre welcomes stalls including Carmarthenshire Cheese, Snowdonia Cheese and Mumbles Pate. Visitors this weekend can sample traditionally made cider and authentic cheese from all over Wales. With a great line up of live music and advice on how to make your own apple juice and cider, this weekender is not one to be missed.
Admission: Free
Info: www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk
MAIBOCK
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff – Wed 25 – Sun 29 May
Chapter’s annual springtime German beer festival returns with their Bavarian Maibock beers. With beers that are famously light and hoppy, the event coincides with the Art Car Bootique. What better way to see in the spring than with a cool refreshing German beer in the sun?
Admission: free
Info: www.chapter.org
REALLY WILD FOOD AND COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL
Pwll Caerog Farm, Berea – Sat 28 + Sun 29 May
Really Wild Festival is more than just your average food festival. Across this bank holiday weekend there will be walks and talks around the festival site, cooking demos with plenty of food for you to see and try, activities suitable for the whole family and an abundance of exhibitors. With all of this set in the scenic Pembrokeshire national park, this weekend will be fun for the whole family.
Admission: £5-£55
Info: www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
GOWER GOOD FOOD FESTIVAL
Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea – Sun 29 + Mon 30 May
The Gower Heritage Centre will once again be holding its successful food event again at the end of May due to popular demand. This foodie event will showcase some of South Wales’ best food producers, with their home-made produce to tickle everybody’s taste buds. Alongside the food sampling, you can take part in various activities such as guided tours of the mill and animal feeding sessions; this family friendly event has something for everyone. Stalls announced for this event so far include Cefn Gwlad Meats, Dusty Kuckle Pizza, Gluten Free Bakery and Suzy Truffles.
Admission: Free
Info: www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk
COWBRIDGE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Cowbridge High Street – Sun 29 + Mon 30 May
Since 2004, the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival has provided food lovers with a wide selection of foodie family fun, bringing visitors from all over. Having grown from a one-day event, it now has over 100 exhibitors, food demonstrations and entertainers. With accommodation available in and around the area, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to explore Cowbridge’s finest produce.
Admission: Free