Traders from across County Durham and beyond are preparing for the return of next month’s Seaham Food Festival.
The free Durham County Council event will be back on Seaham’s coastline on Saturday 2 and Saturday 3 August, and visitors can look forward to a weekend full of tasty treats from the region’s traders, as well as family-friendly entertainment and culinary demonstrations from celebrity chefs.
Cllr Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnership, said: “We’re all excited for the return of Seaham Food Festival this year, and as always, with over 100 traders, there really is something for everyone.
“It’s great to see that so many County Durham-based traders will be there as well, giving them the perfect opportunity to get in front of new customers, while giving people a chance to try something new.
“We encourage visitors to take advantage of all the fantastic food and drink on offer at this free event, which promises to be a wonderful weekend for everyone involved.”
Among the famous faces is straight-talking MasterChef judge and co-host John Torode MBE, who organisers are excited to announce as the festival’s headline chef.
John will be taking to the stage on Sunday 3 August, to demonstrate the making of delicious dishes, which visitors can see at the festival’s cookery theatre.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to presentations from Dean Edwards, a much-loved TV personality known for his budget-friendly recipes; Chris Baber, who won the 2016 series of BBC One’s Yes Chef; Nelly Ghaffar, one of the standout contestants on Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off in 2024 thanks to her infectious personality; and others.
More than 120 traders will be coming to the coastal town offering a range of tasty treats and exciting dishes to suit everyone’s desires.
The Barista Sisters are just one of the many traders who are regulars at Seaham Food Festival, having attended for 5 years in a row.
They offer a mobile drinks service which produces artisan coffee prepared by using premium coffee beans.
Joanne Long of the Barista Sisters said: “I think we’ll have been doing Seaham Food Festival for around 5 years now. It’s the same organisers as Bishop Auckland Food Festival and we love how efficient and resourceful they are, and the communication is always spot on.
“The location is the best part about Seaham, we’re next to the sea and get a nice sea view out the back of our units. It’s always a great event and an opportunity to have a catch up with people, and everyone really makes a huge effort.”
From incredible fried chicken sourced from local farms and prepared by hand from Chicken Ting, to freshly made, delicious and savoury sweet crepes made in a converted horsebox from Crepe Expectations, visitors will have a lot to choose from.
Meanwhile, Spud Gun Loaded Fries will bring scrumptious fries with as many toppings as could be hoped for; Fusion Cake Haus promises visitors gourmet cupcakes, celebration cakes, brownies and cookies; and Spicy Monkey hopes to floor customers with its handmade curry sauces.
