Liverpool’s ‘most delicious weekend’ of the year toasted a huge success

The first ever Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux food and drink festival attracted 25,000 visitors to the city with an economic impact of £750,000.

Three months after the festival, organisers Liverpool City Council, Liverpool BID and Paul Askew, Chef Patron from the acclaimed Art School restaurant, have revealed figures that highlight the success of the festival.

Research undertaken by MEL Research during the Jubilee Weekend celebrations (2-5 June) show visitors from across the UK came to experience Liverpool’s food scene and celebrate the city’s year as host city for 2022 Bordeaux Wine Festival.

Highlights included:

• Bordeaux Wine Tasting Experience at Liverpool Town Hall

Wine producers from across the Bordeaux region welcomed 2000 visitors for wine tasting, masterclasses and entertainment for this sell-out event.

• Bordeaux Bar a Vin at Martins Bank Building

Chef Patron Paul Askew of The Art School treated 1500 diners to an outstanding brasserie menu (and 500 bottles of Bordeaux wine!) in the iconic Liverpool venue.

• Chef demonstrations at Bombed Out Church

Culinary icons including Simon Rimmer (Sunday Brunch), Lizzie Acker (GBBO), Ellis Barrie (Lerpwl) attracted packed crowds.

• 50 restaurants, food halls, cafes and bars took part in the festival and offered a special festival menu.
• Media coverage from across the UK including Observer, Guardian, Metro, Telegraph, Waitrose Weekend.
• 4.3 million impressions on social media

And to underline the success of the festival, Taste Liverpool was a finalist at the 2022 Northern Marketing Awards for ‘Best Tourism & Leisure Campaign’, which recently took place in Leeds.

Susan Finnegan, Taste Liverpool Steering Group Chair, said:

“It’s exciting to see the impact Taste Liverpool has had on the city region’s economy and reputation as a food and drink destination. The economic research released today demonstrates the direct and positive influence on our food and drink sector and visitor economy. In our first year, visitors from all over the UK came to Liverpool to see our food revolution in action and the festival is already being talked about as the biggest date in the city’s food and drink calendar.”

Paul Askew, Chef Patron of The Art School Restaurant, said:

“We are all very proud how Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux has put Liverpool on the global food and drink festival map in spectacular style. During the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, The Art School proudly partnered with Bordeaux Wines to curate a unique experience – the Bordeaux Bar A Vin in the truly stunning Grade II listed Martins Bank Building.

“In there, we also hosted the Blessing Of The Grape ceremony’s brunch with dignitaries and guests from the Bordeaux Wine Council and the City of Liverpool; a lunch service celebrated the Jubilee with the Liverpool Commonwealth Association and the Lord Lieutenant toasting the now dearly departed Queen on her 70th anniversary; and finally we hosted a sumptuous evening fine-dining service in Martins Bank Building.”

Bill Addy, Liverpool BID Chief Executive, said:

“Anything we invest in at Liverpool BID Company has to have a powerful and positive return for our city and our Levy Payers. Celebrating our excellent food and drink offer, as well as strengthening our partnership with Bordeaux is a draw for visitors. Liverpool’s mixed-use economy means that when visitors come to sample our hospitality, we know we can sell the wider offer of culture, retail, leisure and more. A successful event benefits every business as we can show that this city has something for everyone. I am grateful to our businesses for backing Taste Liverpool, showing their confidence and I know they will be delighted with the economic impact”.