Porthleven Food Festival is up and running for 2024 following a launch supported by pupils from the village.
Children from Porthleven School took part in a parade through the port this morning (Friday) at the start of the three-day festival.
They processed down to the Chef’s Theatre on the harbour, where the event was officially opened by the High Sheriff of Cornwall Sam Galsworthy.
Joining him on stage were committee members, festival chef-patron Jude Kereama and broadcast journalist Claire Rowley from Radio Cornwall, who was compere for the launch event.
After the opening ceremony Jude cooked up brownies for the school children as they watched on.
This year’s Chef’s Theatre line-up for the coming three days includes Jack Stein, Michelin-starred chefs Adam Handling (of Ugly Butterfly in Carbis Bay), Tom Brown (originally from Cornwall and now owner of restaurants in Hackney Wick and Shoreditch), and Paul Foster (of Salt restaurant in Stratford-Upon-Avon).
Also joining them will be Ben Palmer, 2024’s Great British Menu winner, of The Sardine Factory restaurant in Looe.
Other chefs to give demonstrations over the weekend will include Chris Eden, executive chef at Gidleigh Park; Josh Eggleton, Michelin Star chef patron of The Pony Restaurant Group; Andrew Tuck, of Harbour House in Flushing; Elly Wentworth, of The Angel in Dartmouth; and MasterChef quarterfinalist and Sabzi Deli founder Kate Attlee.
Despite a slightly wet start this morning, the sun is now out for the first day of the festival and organisers will be hoping the weather will hold for the rest of the weekend, despite a few showers forecast on Saturday.
The event attracts in the region of 35,000 people each year, to enjoy the range of demonstrations, food stalls, catering stands and live music.
New for this year, the festival is offering Ultimate Gourmet Weekend Tickets at £85 per person, which includes guaranteed seating in the Chef’s Theatre all weekend, access to the Friday and Saturday night Evening Sessions with Beans on Toast and the UK Fleetwood Mac, plus premium parking in the centre of Porthleven and a ticket to thenew Comedy Roast (two course roast lunch, prepared by chef Rupert Cooper of the Philleigh Way Cookery School plus comedy and a quiz from Johnny Cowling plus support).
Here are all the details on parking info, opening hours and travel information for Porthleven Food Festival 2024:
Parking
All parking, other than premium parking (pre-booked as part of the Ultimate & Gourmet Weekend Tickets) and Blue Badge, is at Methleigh Farm and costs £10 per car. This includes a free park and ride service into the centre of Porthleven.
People are asked not to drive into the village as road closures will be in place for safety.
Opening Hours
10am – 10.30pm Friday and Saturday
10am – 10pm Sunday
Different areas of the festival operate at different times:
Craft & Market Traders: 10am – 6pm
Hot Food Traders: 10am – 10:30pm
Chef’s Theatre: 10am – 6pm*
Evening Sessions / Feasts: 18:30pm – 10:30pm*
Shipyard & Diner’s Club: 10am – 10:30pm*
*Visit the festival website for content schedules which vary day by day.
Family Festival
Under 18s must accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Under 18s will not be granted access to ticketed content unless accompanied by an adult.
Evening Sessions
The Evening Sessions live music entertainment is located on the Harbour Head (where the Chef’s Theatre is held by day) and are ticketed from 6pm on Friday and Saturday. Buy tickets online or upon entry at the box office.
Alcohol may not be brought in or out of Evening Sessions, regardless of where it was purchased.
Feasts
Our Friday and Saturday Feast Nights take place at the Net Loft. Tickets must be purchased via our website in advance, and printed or digital codes will be scanned upon entry.
Travel
By Car:
Main Carpark: The festival carpark is located at Methleigh Farm and costs £10 per car. This includes a free park and ride service into the centre of Porthleven.
Follow satnav for Methleigh Farm, Porthleven, Helston TR13 9LB until you see the yellow signs, then follow yellow signs to carpark.
Premium Parking: Located right in the middle of town at Withy Field Carpark, Mill Lane. Premium Parking is only available to Ultimate & Gourmet Weekend Ticket holders, pre-booking essential.
Accessible Parking: Accessible parking is located at Kittos Field Carpark. This is a Cornwall Council pay and display and a fee may be payable depending on circumstances; refer to Cornwall Councils parking conditions on arrival.
By Bus
The festival is accessible via multiple bus routes.
Taxi / Drop-Off
There will be a taxi only drop-off/pick-up zone.
Licensed Zones
This year Porthleven Food Festival will be implementing alcohol checkpoints in and out of some licensed zones after 6pm. This means that people will be unable to enter or leave entertainment areas carrying alcohol regardless of where they purchased it. This is a licensing requirement.
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