Free kids cookery classes will be on the menu for visitors to this year’s Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival, offering hands-on culinary experiences for both children and adults.
Designed to inspire confidence in the kitchen and encourage creativity with food, the sessions will give young festivalgoers the chance to learn new skills in a fun and relaxed environment.
They will be able to put their cooking abilities to the test with a range of accessible and engaging recipes.
These include favourites such as easy pizza, Peruvian chicken and macaroni cheese, all designed to be simple, interactive and enjoyable.
Adult classes are also available and will allow budding chefs to take part in more refined demonstrations and classes, and learn how to prepare dishes such as wild garlic risotto and pan-seared trout.
Only a small number of adult places are left so those interested are advised to book early.
The free cooking classes can be booked after purchasing tickets for the festival, which will take place from 3 to 5 April at Chester Racecourse.
The cooking classes form part of a refreshed festival programme set to take place at Chester Racecourse over the Easter weekend.
Organisers have reimagined the event to create a vibrant celebration of regional food and drink, combined with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
A strong line-up of well-known culinary talent will also feature across the weekend. Among the headline names are Cherish Finden, the highly decorated pastry chef widely recognised for her role on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, and Matty Edgell, winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2023. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch live demonstrations, pick up expert tips and gain inspiration from some of the industry’s most respected figures.
Alongside the food offering, the festival will host a varied entertainment programme. Pop star Gareth Gates is set to headline on the Saturday, bringing a lively performance to the stage. He will be joined by a Taylor Swift tribute act performing some of the global superstar’s biggest hits, ensuring there is something for music lovers of all ages.
The revamped festival aims to showcase the very best food and drink producers from across Cheshire and North Wales. Attendees can expect a wide selection of artisan stalls, street food vendors and local producers, creating a lively marketplace atmosphere throughout the weekend.
This year’s headline sponsor is local brewer CHANCE Clean Cider, the UK’s first dedicated non-alcoholic cider brand. Their involvement reflects a growing interest in mindful drinking and broadening the range of options available to festival visitors.
Families are a key focus of this year’s event, with a dedicated children’s zone providing entertainment across all three days. Activities will include appearances from super pirates, face painting, mascots, funfair rides and a wide range of games designed to keep younger guests engaged. Chester Zoo will also be partnering with organisers to deliver interactive experiences and activities for children attending the festival.
The event is now under the stewardship of local hotelier and DevaFest co-owner Steven Hesketh and CoolBreeze Events founder Katie Isaacson. The pair stepped in earlier this year to secure the future of the festival, ensuring the continuation of one of the region’s most popular annual events.
Hesketh said the team is committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for visitors. “We’re so excited to bring Chester Racecourse a fresh, lively weekend packed with the very best of Cheshire and North Wales produce, alongside music, family fun, chef demonstrations and cooking classes,” he said. “It’s set to be Chester’s biggest weekend of 2026 so far.”
Organisers report strong demand for tickets, with many already sold ahead of the event. The refreshed format and expanded programme are expected to make the festival one of the standout highlights of Chester’s calendar this year.
What’s On Across the Weekend
Friday – Local Legends Day
The festival opens by celebrating regional musical talent, with acoustic performances from Danny Sergiou, Sophie Roxanne (from The Voice) and Stephen Lockhart.
On the Chef Demo Stage, visitors can watch leading chefs Brian Mellor, Paul Askew, MasterChef winner Brin Parathapan and Great British Menu star Daniel Ap Geraint.
Saturday – Pop Day
Saturday brings a pop-packed line-up featuring a Taylor Swift tribute alongside a headline performance from Gareth Gates.
Chef demonstrations will feature Bake Off winner Matty Edgell, headliner Cherish Finden, The Lumberjaxe’s and Ellis Barrie.
Sunday – Country Day
The weekend wraps up with a country-themed celebration starring the UK’s number one country artist Rob Wheeler, a Dolly Parton tribute and a line dancing performance.
On the Chef Demo Stage, visitors can see Jon Watts, The Lumberjaxe’s, Aiden Byrne and Babna.
All Weekend
Cooking classes for adults and children will run throughout the festival, alongside a kids’ zone featuring super pirates, face painting, mascots and funfair rides, ensuring plenty of fun for families while food lovers explore the very best of Cheshire and North Wales produce.
The festival will be held from April 3 to April 5. To book tickets visit
