ST IVES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL 2025 IS TAKING PLACE ON PORTHMINSTER BEACH FROM FRIDAY 16TH MAY TO SUNDAY 18TH MAY 2025. ANYONE CAN GO ALONG TO ENJOY THE BEST FOOD IN CORNWALL ALONGSIDE SUN, SEA AND MUSIC…
Food, glorious food! And beach, glorious beach! That’s right, it must be the St Ives Food and Drink Festival, one of Cornwall’s most eagerly awaited foodie fests, returning once again to the stunning setting of Porthminster Beach. After the 2024 edition ‘took a break’, the festival is making a grand return in 2025 with an exciting new line-up, promising to be bigger and better than ever before. Against the backdrop of golden sands and the rolling Atlantic, this beloved event is set to showcase the very best of Cornish cuisine and hospitality.
The local community organisation that runs the festival decided to make improvements by introducing new organisation and infrastructure. Now, the festival is back on track and set to bring top-class food, drink, and entertainment to Cornwall’s most famous beach.
At the May 2025 fest, just like its previous iterations, expect the best bites and most delicious drinks alongside top local live music over three days. That’s not official as it may not be three days but traditionally it’s been across a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Make sure you bring an extremely empty stomach to this incredible Cornish event when it goes ahead.
The event traditionally features chef talks and demonstrations. In 2023, Jack Stein of Rick Stein Restaurants, ‘veg growing guru’ Kathy Slack and grill chef and author Simon Stallard did demos and talks. Barbecue hero Chris ‘Chops’ Taylor also held a demo for the crowds and seafood maestro Stephane Delourme closed out the fest with a special demonstration.
Norman Jay MBE will headline on Friday 16th May, followed by Ferris & Sylvester on Saturday 17th May, and The Scribes on Sunday 18th May. Tickets for the evening sessions are now available, and early booking is recommended.
The Chef’s Fire Pit will once again host some of the biggest names in the culinary world, with live cooking demos from Ashley Palmer-Watts of The Devonshire, Soho, Ben Prior of Porthminster Beach Cafe, St Ives, Tom Brown of Pearly Queen, Shoreditch, and award-winning cook, veg grower, and writer Kathy Slack.
If music be the food of love then there’s always plenty of acts playing on over the weekend. The Scribes rocked up in 2023, as did Peri Rae, Molly Hocking, Bailey Tomkinson and the fabulous Roguey Roads. There has also traditionally been a Food Trail in St Ives throughout the festival with a whole host of tasty treats to discover along the way. Basically, there’s loads to eat, drink, listen to and learn over the weekend in May.
Thousands travel to St Ives for this hotly anticipated food fest on the white sands of Porthminster. At the 2022 edition, there were loads of chef demos firing it up on those sands from the likes of Jack Stein, Emily Scott of Emily Scott Food and Jackson Bristow from Nancarrow Farm. Plus, Kathy Slack, the Padstow Kitchen Garden’s Ross Geach and Chris ‘Chops’ Taylor were also there, joined by many more as they cooked on the festival’s Asado Fire Pit that was sponsored by St Austell Brewery.
Live music over the 2022 festival included funky Latin outfit Malavita! headlining the Friday night opening party, self-proclaimed ‘musical misfits’ Town of Cats on the Saturday night and the theatrical 3 Daft Monkeys on the Sunday. Visitors also enjoyed loads of street food, cocktail masterclasses and so much grub on offer.
Thousands travel to St Ives for this hotly anticipated food fest on the white sands of Porthminster. It’s wise to arrive as early as possible, as the festival draws large crowds and the best spots fill up quickly. Parking in St Ives is limited, so it’s advisable to use the park and ride service or opt for public transport. Buses and trains serve St Ives, but services get busy, so planning ahead is essential. While daytime entry is free, tickets are required for the evening music sessions, so securing them in advance is recommended.
If you like sandwiches and sand, and barbecues and beaches, then get down to Porthminster and loosen that belt for the 2025 St Ives Food and Drink Festival. With its stunning location, top-tier chefs, and fantastic music, this is a Cornish festival that should be at the top of your calendar.