Prepare Your Tastebuds For Treats as Countdown Begins to Wimborne Food Festival

Chefs, producers and food experts will be sharing their skills, stories and favourite flavours

Wimborne is getting ready to serve up one of its tastiest days of the year as Wimborne Food Festival returns on Saturday 19 September, bringing free cookery demonstrations, tastings, talks, pop-ups, live music and family-friendly food events to the town centre.

This free festival, organised by Wimborne BID, will run from 10am to 4pm and will celebrate local food, drink and produce from across Dorset. Visitors can look forward to a packed programme across Willow Walk, Minster Green, East Street, Church Street and the Allendale Community Centre.

At the heart of the day will be the Dacombes of Wimborne Food Theatre on Willow Walk, near Waitrose, where chefs, producers and food experts will share their skills, stories and favourite flavours. The line-up includes Colin Nash, chef at The Colin Nash Restaurant at The Retreat near Christchurch, who will showcase seasonal, sustainable Dorset ingredients in a live cookery demonstration.

Cristina Cavalleri, owner of LovItaly Deli and Restaurant in Wimborne and Ringwood, will share Sardinian family recipes, including the secrets of a perfect tomato sauce and amaretti biscuits, joined by pastry chef Sarah Read. 

Former Great British Bake Off contestant Maggie Richardson will bring baking tips, behind-the-scenes stories and advice on mastering choux pastry.

There will also be expert advice from Sali Pike and Ellie Snook from Wimborne’s Renoufs team, who will explain how to build the perfect cheese and charcuterie sharing board, and Pete Miles of Dorset Oysters, who will take audiences from seed to plate with insights into Poole Harbour oyster farming, tastings and simple seafood ideas.

Wimborne chef Colm McKavanagh will team up with Salamander Cookshop for Tricks with Tortilla, demonstrating a quick and practical method for home cooks using ingredients available locally. Salamander Cookshop will also host a free cookery demonstration, while Majestic Wimborne will offer free wine tastings.

A highlight of the countdown is Wimborne’s Great Big Choc Bake Off, inviting chocolate lovers, star bakers and kitchen creatives to enter a chocolate cake competition on the day of the festival. Cakes should be brought to the marquee on Willow Walk, near Waitrose, between 3pm and 3.30pm.

The competition will be judged by Maggie Richardson and Colin Nash, with cakes marked on flavour, creativity and presentation. Slices will be sold after judging to raise funds for the mayor’s chosen causes, Lewis-Manning Hospice and Waggy Tails Rescue.

The top prize is a Neff pan set worth more than £100, donated by Dacombes of Wimborne. There will also be junior categories for ages 7–11 and 12–16, with book tokens for the winning young bakers.

Fiona Pawsey, Chair of Wimborne BID, said: “Wimborne BID is delighted to showcase the wonderful food and drink retailers and producers in the town and county. This free festival promises a delicious day out!“

Around town, there will be food experiences, alfresco dining, Dorset Farmers’ Market, tasty treats and live music, creating a lively community atmosphere for foodies, families and visitors looking for a delicious day out.

Festival programmes will be available around town from early September.