EXCLUSIVE: Celebrity chefs revealed for Wirral Food & Drink Festival

Birkenhead Park to be events hub for a stellar weekend of food, drink and music talent at Wirral Food and Drink Festival, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September, 11am – 5pm.

A host of celebrity chefs have been revealed among the line-up for the all-new Wirral Food & Drink Festival at Birkenhead Park on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

The chefs joining nationally renowned Paul Askew, Chef Patron of The Art School Restaurant are Ellis Barrie and Tommy Heaney, with more to be announced shortly.

Bringing together an abundance of local producers and celebrity chefs from Wirral and beyond, the Festival will create a two-day gastronomic experience for food and drink lovers in Birkenhead Park. Set against the backdrop of one of Wirral’s most celebrated and beautiful Green Flag parks, the free event includes mouth-watering food and drink, exciting entertainment and a family zone which will offer interactive activities for all ages.

MORE: Get the latest news for Wirral here

In addition to celebrity chef demos, visitors can expect to find food traders specialising in fresh produce from Wirral and Liverpool City Region alongside global street food, Chip’d serving Dutch style chips, Joro Vegan Eatery, real dairy ice cream, independent wine retailers, sweet treats, home accessories, Wirral favourite restaurants such as Thyme Oxton and local breweries including Brimstage Brewery and Wirral Gin. 

As the Festival completes its first day, Saturday 7 September, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will take centre stage for their only outdoor performance as a full orchestra in 2019, with a very special evening of popular classics, show tunes and exciting film standards. 

MORE: 10 Wirral Bars you need to discover

Tommy Heaney Photographer: Andrew Hayes-Watkins

After the close of the Festival on Sunday 8 September, iconic Merseyside bands Lightning Seeds, The Christians & China Crisis will take over Birkenhead Park for one night only with a not-to-be-missed musical extravaganza sure to wow fans. 

VIP and corporate hospitality packages are available for Saturday and Sunday evening, featuring culinary delights from Chef Paul Askew, drinks and concert tickets. For more information on these all-inclusive events and to book tickets, please email cultureteam@wirral.gov.uk. 

Paul Askew is a regular fixture on top food-related TV shows including Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch as well as BBC favourites Masterchef, Saturday Morning Kitchen and Great British Menu. A fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Paul is owner and Chef Patron of one of Liverpool City Region’s finest establishments, the award-winning Art School Restaurant.

Acon Award winner and Great British Menu finalist, Chef Ellis Barrie has developed The Marram Grass into a culinary highlight of Anglesey along with the help of his brothers. Fellow Great British Menu star, Chef Tommy Heaney joins Barrie to demonstrate how to produce mouth-watering food with local produce. Since appearing on the hit BBC Two cookery show, Tommy has launched his own restaurant, Heaneys in Pontcanna, Cardiff. 

MORE: Get the latest food & drink news for Liverpool

Chef Ellis Barrie

Event organisers will announce more chefs who are joining Paul Askew, Ellis Barrie and Tommy Heaney very soon. Follow @ImagineWirral on Twitter for updates. 

Paul Askew commented: “Wirral is home to so many food heroes who grow, harvest and utilise the fresh, local produce which the borough is famous for. I am delighted to be playing a part in this event and highlighting the hard work that these local businesses do. It is a brilliant opportunity to put market traders alongside Wirral-based breweries, small businesses, and culinary creatives from the region. Having worked with the celebrity chefs and knowing them personally, they are all ecstatic to be showcasing the best, local produce that Wirral has to offer”. 

The Festival is the culinary highlight of Wirral Borough of Culture 2019 and takes its place among a stellar line-up of culture, sport, innovation and food and drink at Birkenhead Park. 

Councillor Christine Spriggs, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, added: “As Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture for 2019, Wirral has delivered landmark events for residents and visitors, showcasing the talent and creativity of the local area. Wirral Food & Drink Festival is no exception and will highlight the wide variety of gastronomic treats that our borough has to offer. We are delighted to not only have Wirral food & Drink Festival over the weekend, but also bring the best musical talent Merseyside has to offer to the world-class Birkenhead Park. This September certainly is one to remember and offers something for all tastes.” 

Visit imaginewirral.com for the latest information.

Get all of the latest news for Liverpool and beyond here.

Got a story you would like to share with us? Email us info@theguideliverpool.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for regular updates for Liverpool.