Newark Festival of Food
Get your taste buds ready - Newark’s first-ever Festival of Food is landing this summer, and it’s bursting with flavour!
Launching on Saturday 2 August, the weekend kicks off with live cooking demos, free tasters, and talks from local growers—all alongside the sunny vibes of Newark on Sea.
Then from 4-8 August and 11-15 August, the fun continues with daily foodie events like Make Your Own Picnic, Meat-Free Monday, and drop-ins with local health heroes including Oral Health and Your Health Notts.
It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s full of fresh, healthy, budget-friendly ideas to spice up your summer kitchen. Come hungry and leave inspired!
What's on!
Saturday 2 August
10.30am - Jason from Burnt Toast will be cooking one of his delicious dishes. Jason runs monthly supper clubs as well as private dining using locally grown and seasonal produce.
11am - Chop and Chat. Come and see the team from Newark and Sherwood District Council modelling some of the dishes they cook with local community groups. Plenty of free tasters and a chance to enquire about cooking with your community group!
11.30am - Simon from Ember Catering will be encouraging you to get back in the kitchen and cook one of his delicious dishes. Simon runs a number of pop-up events locally and private dining, with enthusiasm for foraging and cooking with seasonal and local produce.
12noon - Come and meet Simon our Park Ranger and hear about all the growing going on at Sconce and Devon Park. You will also have the opportunity to learn all about the local charity Lew's Roots.
1.14pm - Damian, our compare for the day, has owned three award winning restaurants and will be sharing his passion for cooking by creating a delicious dish with some of Lew's Roots chilis.
2pm - Crop Drop: Feeding our families. Come and meet one of our growers and volunteers at Newark Food and Wellbeing Hub. Learn about how you can support both brilliant groups and the work they do in Newark.
2.30pm - The Caribbean Queen, Dawn, will come and share her passion for healthy home cooked food, with a delicious Caribbean flavour. With a stall in the market square, come and have a taste of the Caribbean in Newark.
3pm - Crop Drop Challenge! Can Damian cook a dish made from locally grown crop drop ingredients and a few store cupboard staples? Come and see what he puts together having raided the fridge.
3.30pm - Saturday Night Fakeaway. Come and see some of our Chop and Chat teens cooking up a Chinese Feast. It is never too soon to get your families involved in cooking.
Sunday 3 August
10.30am - Jason from Burnt Toast will be cooking one of his delicious dishes. Jason runs monthly supper clubs as well as private dining using locally grown and seasonal produce.
11am - Chop and Chat. Come and see the team from Newark and Sherwood District Council modelling some of the dishes they cook with local community groups. Plenty of free tasters and a chance to enquire about cooking with your community group!
12noon - Come and meet Simon our Park Ranger and hear about all the growing going on at Sconce and Devon Park. You will also have the opportunity to learn all about the local charity Lew's Roots.
1.15pm - Eva, our compare for the day, is a nutritionist but not as you know them! She's full of ideas for what to do for better sleep or shortcuts to having more energy and will be creating a delicious dish with some of Lew's Roots chilis.
2pm - Crop Drop: Feeding our families. Come and meet one of our growers and volunteers at Newark Food and Wellbeing Hub. Learn about how you can support both brilliant groups and the work they do in Newark.
2.30pm - Crop Drop Challenge! Can Eva cook a dish made from locally grown crop drop ingredients and a few store cupboard staples? Come and see what he puts together having raided the fridge.
3pm - Alisa is originally from Hong Kong and believes that food brings friends and families together. Having attended a Chop and Chat course she is now sharing her passion for food with two of her favourite dishes.
Monday 4 August
Meat Free Monday!
Food demonstrations of meet free recipes from the team at Newark and Sherwood District Council.
10am, noon and 12pm - no need to book, just turn up and watch the team in action!
With lots of free tasting pots.
Wednesday 6 August
Join the team from Newark and Sherwood District Council to make your own healthy picnic for a day at the beach!
Sessions will run at 10am, 12noon and 2pm.
Booking is essential. Please email wellbeing@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk to book your space.
Thursday 7 August
Your Health Notts are here to give some nutritional advice and plenty of games for the children.
No need to book - just turn up!
Friday 8 August
Urban Worm will be making worm poo tea bags for you to take home to make a brew for your favourite plants! Newark and Sherwood District Councill's Environmental team will also be there making seed bombs.
No need to book - just turn up!
Monday 11 August
Community Dental Services will be visiting today!
They will have an information stall featuring a wealth of oral health information and free resources. Join them for fun oral health activities, including arts and crafts and food experiments.
Tuesday 12 August
The team from Newark and Sherwood District Council will be running a No-Bake Granola Bar workshop!
Join us to create a healthy snack at 10am, 12noon and 2pm.
Booking is essential. Please email wellbeing@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk to book your space.
Wednesday 13 August
Join the team from Newark and Sherwood District Council to make your own healthy picnic for a day at the beach!
Sessions will run at 10am, 12noon and 2pm.
Booking is essential. Please email wellbeing@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk to book your space.
Thursday 14 August
Come and meet your local Family Hub with advice on breastfeeding, fussy eaters and information on healthy start vouchers.
Friday 15 August
Your Health Notts are here to give some nutritional advice and plenty of games for the children!
No need to book - just turn up!