Taste Cumbria Returns To Cockermouth For Weekend Of Food, Drink And Family Fun
Taste Cumbria is returning to Cockermouth for a weekend of food, drink, entertainment and family activities across the town centre.
The festival will begin with a Friday evening gathering in Market Place, before the main programme takes place across Cockermouth on Saturday and Sunday. The event will bring together food producers, chefs, local businesses, musicians and family entertainment, creating a programme designed to attract both residents and visitors. The main festival will run from 10am on Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27, with activities spread across Main Street, Market Place, Jennings Brewery and other locations around the town.
The opening evening will take place in Market Place from 7pm to 9pm on Friday September 25. The Market Place Chill Out will offer hot food, cold drinks and live music, providing an informal start to the festival weekend. Performances from Char and Somethin’ Brewin’ will feature during the evening, while visitors will also be able to enjoy food and drinks from businesses operating around the square.
The main festival will then move into full operation from Saturday morning, with producers' stalls lining Main Street. The market will provide an opportunity for visitors to discover a range of food and drink products while supporting independent producers and businesses. Market Place will host the popular Street Party, with hot food, entertainment and further activities taking place throughout the weekend.
Jennings Brewery will also form part of the festival programme, adding another location for visitors to explore. The brewery will host attractions including its own stage, food, drinks and family activities, while the wider town will offer street theatre, live music and additional events. The range of locations is intended to encourage visitors to move around Cockermouth and experience businesses and attractions beyond the main festival areas.
One of the major attractions will be the Demo Stage, where professional chefs and local food specialists will demonstrate their skills. Michelin starred chef Kevin Scanlan from SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House will appear on Saturday alongside his colleague Ralph Rojas from Gilpin Spice. Their appearances will bring experience from one of the county's best known hospitality destinations to the centre of the festival.
Cockermouth food businesses will also have a prominent role in the demonstrations. Manon Plouffe of Wild Zucchinis and Shuba Sachin of Dosa Chaska will appear on the Saturday programme, giving visitors an opportunity to see local culinary talent in action. Their participation reflects the festival's emphasis on both established professional chefs and businesses rooted within the town and wider Cumbrian food scene.
Sunday's programme will continue with private chef Jon Fell, who will focus on seafood caught by the Chelaris boat from Maryport. His demonstration will explore the journey from the Cumbrian coast to the plate, alongside practical information about selecting, preparing and cooking fresh fish. The session will highlight the connection between local fishing activity, producers and the food served to visitors and residents.
A further Sunday demonstration will bring together Buster Grant from Jennings Brewery and Richard Harrison from Harrison's Butchers. Their session will combine beer and meat in a steak and ale themed demonstration, connecting two longstanding elements of the region's food and drink traditions. Ashleigh Hall, owner of Main Street's Deli Station and Street Food, will then make her first appearance on the Demo Stage.
Live music will feature throughout the weekend alongside the food and drink programme. The Festival Stage in Market Place will host performances from a range of artists, while Jennings Brewery will have its own music programme. The combination of music, food, market stalls and outdoor activities is designed to create an event that offers entertainment as well as opportunities to shop and eat.
Families will also have a range of activities to choose from during the festival. Street theatre, fairground rides and other attractions will take place around the town, while arts and crafts activities will provide additional options away from the main food stalls. Many of the activities are free, allowing visitors to experience the festival without needing to purchase tickets for the majority of the programme.
The festival has become an established event in Cockermouth's calendar and has grown into a significant occasion for the local economy. Around 27,000 people attended the Cockermouth event last year, according to figures provided by Cumberland Council, generating approximately £2.1 million for the local economy. The figures reflect the wider role of food festivals in bringing visitors into town centres and encouraging spending with local shops, hospitality businesses and producers.
Taste Cumbria was originally established in Cockermouth in 2010 following severe flooding that had a major impact on the town centre. Since then, the event has developed into a wider series of food and drink festivals across Cumberland. The Cockermouth event remains the flagship festival, while other Taste Cumbria events now take place in locations including Maryport and Wigton, with the programme also extending to Carlisle.
The event is organised by Cumberland Council with support from Cockermouth Town Council and a number of local businesses and organisations. Sponsors and supporters for the Cockermouth festival include The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Jennings Brewery, Milburns Solicitors, Rock With and Cockermouth and District Chamber of Trade. Their involvement reflects the collaboration between the council, local businesses and community organisations behind the event.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said the festival provides an opportunity for people to enjoy food and drink while exploring Cockermouth. She also highlighted the economic contribution made by the event and its role in attracting visitors to local businesses. The council has continued to support the festival as part of wider efforts to encourage activity within town centres and strengthen the visitor economy.
The weekend will give visitors the opportunity to combine the festival programme with Cockermouth's independent shops, restaurants, pubs and other attractions. With producers, chefs, musicians and community activities spread across several parts of the town, organisers expect the event to provide a broad programme for different age groups. The majority of attractions will be free to attend, although some individual activities and fairground rides may carry charges.
Taste Cumbria will also return to Cockermouth later in the year for its Christmas festival, scheduled for December 5 and 6. The additional event will provide another opportunity for food producers, businesses and visitors to come together in the town. For the September festival, organisers are encouraging visitors to plan their weekend around the different venues and explore the food, entertainment and community activities available throughout Cockermouth.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.