Porthleven Food and Music Festival 2024
April 26 – April 28
Porthleven, a picturesque Cornish town, is the destination for one of the best foodie weekends of the year in Cornwall. The annual Porthleven Food Festival is a celebration of all things gourmet, and it takes place every spring. A scrumptious side order of live music goes hand in hand with the array of the best dishes and drinks in the Duchy. The Porthleven Food Festival is a must-visit for food lovers. The festival is free to enter, making it an inclusive and community-led not-for-profit event. Organizers aim to bring families and foodies together, keeping the festival free for anyone who can’t afford it. However, they encourage donations to help fund the event, which costs £150,000 to run in its current format. Visitors can enjoy the gastronomic treats without paying for tickets, but they are welcome to donate funds to ensure the festival’s future.
The festival aims to celebrate Cornish food and drink producers, stimulate the local economy in the town, and raise awareness of key issues relating to the environment, food culture, and sustainable food production. The festival is presented in partnership with much-loved chef Jude Kereama, who is dedicated to championing Cornish food and drink. The three-day event features an impressive lineup of leading chefs who present cooking demonstrations and talks that spark conversations around food sustainability and produce ecology. Guest chef ‘feast nights’ are also on offer, along with an array of food experiences, workshops, family activities, and other fun entertainment.
The festival takes place at the harbourside but takes over the entire town, making it a perfect opportunity to explore the stunning coastal location of Porthleven. A food market is on the cards, as are oodles of street food offerings and live music during the day and night. Expect some fab local bands and a party atmosphere that keeps the visitors energized throughout the festival.
The festival’s highlight is the Chef’s Theatre tent, presented by Jude Kereama and sponsored by St. Austell Brewery. It brings top chefs from across Cornwall to cook live for the crowds, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience the exceptional culinary creations of Cornwall’s top chefs.
Around 35,000 people are expected to take part in the festival. The organizers are keen to encourage visitors to use the car parks next to the festival site and not to clog up the roads around the area. Porthleven Food Festival is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the best dishes and drinks in the Duchy, while supporting Cornish food and drink producers and sustainable food production. Come hungry, bring an empty stomach, and enjoy the best tuck that Cornwall has to offer at this fabulous food festival.
