One could surmise that the best recipe for a successful food festival includes a mixture of the most passionate and charismatic chefs who are eager to share their expertise. Next, it’s imperative to add a generous amount of international flavors and innovative cuisine for the curious gourmands to broaden their culinary experience. Finally, sprinkle a serving of human connection in a space set up with 80 food stalls, offering samples of some of the most intriguing food and drink products. This combination of tantalizing ingredients is what you’ll find at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival. 

The food festival takes place annually at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. The event provides a unique opportunity for epicureans to sample food and drink from around the world, over two days every summer. Visitors can watch cooking demonstrations from famous chefs and meet cookbook authors and experts.

The first National Geographic Traveller Food Festival held in 2019 was subsequently heralded as a success. Glen Mutel, editor of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK), said: “But an event like this, which brings together people and cultures from all over the world in a celebration of shared passions, feels like what the world currently needs.” 

On the festival floor, visitors travel around the world with their taste buds. Nearly 80 enticing food stalls offer everything from Barbadian rum tastings to samples of American peanut brittle. Major participants include the Greece National Tourism Organization, Wales Food and Drink, Tourism Malaysia, and the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. Foodies purchase their favorite food and drink finds from the Marketplace. 

The biggest draw of the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival is undoubtedly the Main Stage, which showcases live cooking demos from some of the biggest names in the culinary world. Previous headliners of the Main Stage have included MasterChef’s John Torode and Myrtle chef-founder Anna Haugh. This area attracts packed crowds, so expect a lively audience at each of the events.   

The second stage is the Speaker’s Corner and provides a more intimate setting for visitors to listen to some of the most exciting cookbook authors share details about their recent book releases. Authors delve into the culinary destinations that inspired their works. This area also allows visitors to ask questions and get their favorite cookbooks signed.   

Attendees are also invited to book sessions at the Wine and Spirits Theatre to discover a new favorite drink. The Drinks Showcase allows visitors to taste fine wine, spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages from across the globe. For something more filling, the two Masterclass theatres showcase intriguing international cuisines through various live cooking demonstrations and tastings.   

The National Geographic Traveller Food Festival presents food enthusiasts with a plethora of culinary opportunities on a silver platter. Visitors can sink their teeth into exciting new dishes, interact with their culinary heroes, or sample fine wine like a sommelier for a day. Upon their return home, attendees can take the wealth of knowledge gained from this enriching experience and apply it to their own kitchen creations.