Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Guide to York's Premier Food & Drink Festival
York Food Festival was established in 1997 as a celebration of local and regional food and drink. Initially focused on attracting celebrity chefs and hosting food markets, the festival underwent significant transformation in 2007 when it became a not-for-profit organisation. Our primary mission is to promote Yorkshire's culinary heritage through educational initiatives, community engagement, and showcasing local producers. We organise annual events including a 10-day autumn festival and an Easter chocolate festival, featuring over 70 street food stalls, cookery demonstrations, and interactive workshops. Our educational programmes provide hands-on learning opportunities for school children and the general public, with over 1,000 annual participants in our Food Factory workshops.We collaborate closely with local businesses, hospitality professionals, and cultural institutions to create immersive food experiences. As a registered charity, all profits are reinvested into improving our events and expanding our educational offerings. Our team brings decades of combined experience in the food industry, with our director having been involved since the festival's inception. We maintain strong partnerships with organisations like City of York Council and local educational institutions. Through our carefully curated events, we aim to establish York as a year-round culinary destination while preserving its rich food heritage.
Services
Food Markets
Cookery Workshops
Chocolate Tours
Taste Trails
Demonstration Dinners
Educational Programmes
Pop-up Events
Wine Tastings
Family Activities
Historical Food Tours
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We are a registered charity reinvesting all profits into food education and community programmes
- We offer over 1,000 free educational places annually through our Food Factory workshops
- Our events feature 70+ local food producers and 20+ professional chef demonstrations
- We combine historical food heritage with modern culinary innovation in our programming
- Our team includes industry professionals with over 25 years' experience in York's food scene
What people say
Vibrant atmosphere
Excellent variety
Educational value
Family-friendly
Local produce
Services
Food Markets
Our vibrant food markets feature over 70 stalls showcasing Yorkshire's finest producers. Visitors can sample and purchase artisanal products ranging from traditional pork pies to contemporary vegan delicacies. The markets create a lively atmosphere with daily demonstrations and tasting opportunities.
Cookery Workshops
Hands-on cookery workshops provide practical skills for all ages. Participants learn from professional chefs in our Food Factory venue, covering techniques from bread making to advanced chocolate work. Over 1,000 free places available annually for school groups.
Taste Trails
Self-guided tasting trails explore York's culinary scene with curated routes featuring 20+ food and drink destinations. Participants receive maps and sample cards to experience diverse offerings from historic chocolate shops to modern gastropubs across the city.
Chocolate Tours
Specialist chocolate experiences include factory tours, truffle making classes, and gin-chocolate pairings. York's rich confectionery heritage is celebrated through interactive sessions at York Cocoa Works and York Chocolate Story.
Demonstration Dinners
Evening dining experiences feature award-winning chefs preparing multi-course meals with Yorkshire ingredients. Events include themed dinners at historic venues like Barley Hall and interactive cooking demonstrations with Great British Menu participants.
People
Michael Hjort
Festival Director
Festival director since 1997 with extensive hospitality experience. Owner of Melton's restaurant and Walmgate Ale House. Specialises in promoting Yorkshire produce through culinary events.
Sarah Thompson
General Manager
General manager at York Cocoa Works with expertise in chocolate production. Leads educational sessions and public demonstrations about chocolate making processes and history.
Questions
When does the York Food Festival take place?
The main festival runs from 19th to 28th September 2025, with the Chocolate Festival from 1st to 5th April 2026.
Are festival events free to attend?
The market stalls and demonstrations are free entry, though specific events like workshops and dinners require tickets.
How can I participate as a food vendor?
Applications for market stands and pop-up events open annually in January. Visit our website for application forms and deadlines.
Is the festival accessible for disabled visitors?
Yes, we provide accessible routes, seating, and facilities. Detailed accessibility information is available on our website.
Can I volunteer at the festival?
We welcome volunteers for workshops, demonstrations, and event management. Apply through our online volunteer form.
What sustainability initiatives do you have?
We prioritise local suppliers, minimise waste, and work with partners to reduce environmental impact across all festival operations.
