The Porthleven Food Festival – presented in partnership with renowned chef Jude Kereama – welcomed thousands of visitors over the weekend (April 21-23), with great success despite significant heavy rain.

Approximately 35mm of rain, that wasn’t forecast, fell on Saturday – in the wettest day of the festival’s 14-year history! – but it didn’t dampen the spirits of those tucking into a full weekend of entertainment including chef demos, live music, family-friendly activities, evening sessions and much more.

Designed to offer an exceptional foodie experience, for residents and visitors alike, the festival’s Chef Theatre line-up this year was the best to date, showcasing talent from the top of the industry – including Adam Handling, Tom Barnes, James Knappett, Jeffrey Robinson, Kate Attlee, Charlotte Vincent, and Elly Wentworth, amongst others.

In a festival first, chef Rupert Cooper, of Philleigh Way Cookery School, hosted a series of sold-out Feasts at The Net Loft, including dishes from Great British Menu contestants Guy Owen, Andrew Tuck and Jude Kereama – alongside wine flights from esteemed sommelier Elly Owen, on the Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sunday, a lunch made with family in mind offered subsided tickets, thanks to support from suppliers Total Produce and Brian Etherington’s Butchers.

The evening live music sessions, held in a new ticketed area of the Moors Field, also didn’t disappoint, featuring local bands such as Oh My God It’s The Church, Smokey’s King Shufflers, Bryher’s Boys, and the Old Time Sailors.

Alec Short, one of the Porthleven Food Festival organisers, said: “The 2023 festival was great fun, a big success, and there was an amazing atmosphere with everyone getting stuck into the great variety of entertainment available over weekend – despite the rain!

“Huge thanks to Phil Rogers and Coode Estate for coming to our aid and offering new car-parking space, and as always, our thanks and appreciation goes out to everyone who helps make the festival happen from the community, local businesses, Cornwall Council and our sponsors and supporters.”