Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival and Workshops 30th & 31st May 2026

• What’s on the menu ?
• A Foodie’s Paradise : Explore over 40 stalls featuring the very best of Kent and international flavors. From artisan breads and local cheeses to decadent fudge and roasted coffee, there is something to satisfy every craving.
• The Street Food Area: Sample your way around the world! All our street food is handmade by our producers, with a special price cap of £9.00 per meal to encourage a "taster menu" experience.
• Main Stage: Catch exciting live cooking demonstrations and talks from expert chefs throughout the weekend.
• Family Fun: We have plenty to keep the youngsters entertained, including our popular interactive graffiti wall!

WORKSHOP: The Producer's Secret with Shane Holland

“Don’t just buy it—understand it.”

Join Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK, for an intimate, 45-minute deep dive into the world of local production. Shane will be joined on stage by a rotating panel of the festival’s star producers.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to spot true quality vs. clever marketing.
• The story behind the soil, the sea, and the craft of our local Tonbridge area.
• A guided tasting led by the producers themselves.

Tickets are strictly limited to 20 seats per session to allow for Q&A and tasting.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: WORKSHOPS ARE LIMITED! While the festival is Free to Attend, our workshops with Shane Holland (CEO, Slow Food) and our local producers have very limited seating.

To secure your place, please select your Workshop Ticket at the same time you book your free Festival Entry. We cannot guarantee any spaces will be available on the day.

Info: Freedom Coffee x Slow Food UK
The Conscious Cup:
Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival, join local roastery Freedom Coffee and Shane Holland (Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK) for a relaxed, flavour-packed workshop exploring how better coffee connects farmers in origin countries to communities right here in Kent.
This is not a lecture.
It’s a tasting, a conversation, and a chance to rethink what’s in your daily cup.
What You’ll Experience
From Farm to Farmers Market
Shane will share why “good, clean and fair” food matters — and how even your morning coffee plays a role in protecting soil, biodiversity and farmer livelihoods.
Roasted in Kent
Daniel from Freedom Coffee will guide you through a hands-on tasting of coffees roasted just down the road in their new Kent roastery. You’ll discover how different origins and roast styles unlock completely different flavour profiles — from rich chocolate and caramel to bright citrus and summer fruit.

Info: Indulge your palate and expand your cheese horizons in this exclusive 45-minute masterclass at the Tonbridge Food Festival. We are bringing together the artisan expertise of The British Cheese Company and the global vision of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.
In a world of mass-produced dairy, this session celebrates the "Slow" way: food that is good, clean, and fair.
What to Expect
The Story Behind the Rind: Shane Holland will guide you through the heritage of British cheesemaking, sharing why supporting small-scale producers is vital for our food culture and the planet.
Curated Tasting: Sample a hand-picked selection of award-winning artisan cheeses from The British Cheese Company. From creamy classics to bold, contemporary truckles, you’ll learn to identify the complex notes that define world-class British cheese.
The Perfect Pairing: Get expert tips on how to curate the ultimate cheeseboard, store your wedges like a pro, and choose the best local accompaniments.

Info: Uncover the rich heritage and vibrant flavors of the Caribbean in this exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. We are proud to bring together the storytelling of Kromanti Rum, and the global advocacy of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.
This session isn't just a tasting; it’s an exploration of "liquid history" and the importance of preserving authentic, botanically-infused traditions.
What to Expect
Ancestral Flavors: The founders of Kromantirum Rum will share the fascinating history of their ancestral knowledge of Caribbean herbs and spices—like tamarind and plantain—defines their award-winning spirit.
The Slow Food Philosophy: Shane Holland will discuss the intersection of heritage spirits and sustainability, explaining why the "Slow Food" approach is essential for protecting unique ingredients and diverse food cultures.
Guided Tasting: Experience a guided flight of Kromantirum’s signature rums.

Info: Elevate your home cooking while supporting a better food system.
oin the master blenders from Dust Bros and Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK, for an exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. This high-energy session is designed for anyone who wants to take their kitchen game to the next level without sacrificing health or ethics.
What to Expect:
Master the "Dust": Dan and James from Dust Bros will show you how to use their handcrafted, all-natural seasonings to transform everyday ingredients into "Everything Epic" meals. Learn the secrets of balancing smoke, spice, and zest using blends free from artificial additives and refined sugars.
Eat Slow, Live Well: Shane Holland will dive into the global Slow Food movement, explaining why choosing "Good, Clean, and Fair" food is a radical and delicious act. Discover how small changes in your pantry can support biodiversity and local producers.
Taste & Learn: Get hands-on tips for seasoning everything

Info: Master the craft of traditional curing in this exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. This session pairs the expert craftsmanship of North Charcuterie with the global advocacy of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.
Together, they will take you on a journey from "nose-to-tail" ethics to the complex flavors of perfectly aged British meats.

What to Expect
The Charcutier’s Craft: will demonstrate the art of curing using high-welfare, rare-breed British pork. Learn about the importance of salt, time, and temperature in creating award-winning salami and Coppa.

Radical Food Culture: Shane Holland will discuss the "Slow Food" philosophy—why supporting small-batch producers is a vital stand against industrial food systems and how it preserves our culinary heritage.

Guided Tasting: A curated tasting of North Charcuterie’s finest range. Discover how different breeds and aging processes create a spectrum of flavor.

Info: Join local roastery Freedom Coffee and Shane Holland (Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK) for a relaxed, flavour-packed workshop exploring how better coffee connects farmers in origin countries to communities right here in Kent.
This is not a lecture.
It’s a tasting, a conversation, and a chance to rethink what’s in your daily cup.
What You’ll Experience
From Farm to Farmers Market
Shane will share why “good, clean and fair” food matters — and how even your morning coffee plays a role in protecting soil, biodiversity and farmer livelihoods.
Roasted in Kent
Daniel from Freedom Coffee will guide you through a hands-on tasting of coffees roasted just down the road in their new Kent roastery. You’ll discover how different origins and roast styles unlock completely different flavour profiles — from rich chocolate and caramel to bright citrus and summer fruit.

Learn simple, practical ways to make better coffee at home — whether you use a cafetière, pour-over or espresso machine.

Info: Master the craft of traditional curing in this exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. This session pairs the expert craftsmanship of North Charcuterie with the global advocacy of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.

Together, they will take you on a journey from "nose-to-tail" ethics to the complex flavors of perfectly aged British meats.

What to Expect
The Charcutier’s Craft: North Charcuterie will demonstrate the art of curing using high-welfare, rare-breed British pork. Learn about the importance of salt, time, and temperature in creating award-winning salami and coppa.

Radical Food Culture: Shane Holland will discuss the "Slow Food" philosophy—why supporting small-batch producers is a vital stand against industrial food systems and how it preserves our culinary heritage.

Guided Tasting: A curated tasting of North Charcuterie’s finest range. Discover how different breeds and aging processes create a spectrum of flavor, from delicate swe

Info: Indulge your palate and expand your cheese horizons in this exclusive 45-minute masterclass at the Tonbridge Food Festival. We are bringing together the artisan expertise of The British Cheese Company and the global vision of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.
In a world of mass-produced dairy, this session celebrates the "Slow" way: food that is good, clean, and fair.
What to Expect
The Story Behind the Rind: Shane Holland will guide you through the heritage of British cheesemaking, sharing why supporting small-scale producers is vital for our food culture and the planet.
Curated Tasting: Sample a hand-picked selection of award-winning artisan cheeses from The British Cheese Company. From creamy classics to bold, contemporary truckles, you’ll learn to identify the complex notes that define world-class British cheese.
The Perfect Pairing: Get expert tips on how to curate the ultimate cheeseboard, store your wedges like a pro, and choose the best local accompaniments.

Info: Uncover the rich heritage and vibrant flavors of the Caribbean in this exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. We are proud to bring together the storytelling of Kromanti Rum, and the global advocacy of Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK.
This session isn't just a tasting; it’s an exploration of "liquid history" and the importance of preserving authentic, botanically-infused traditions.
What to Expect
Ancestral Flavors: The founders of Kromantirum Rum will share the fascinating history of their ancestral knowledge of Caribbean herbs and spices—like tamarind and plantain—defines their award-winning spirit.
The Slow Food Philosophy: Shane Holland will discuss the intersection of heritage spirits and sustainability, explaining why the "Slow Food" approach is essential for protecting unique ingredients and diverse food cultures.
Guided Tasting: Experience a guided flight of Kromantirum’s signature rums.

Info: Elevate your home cooking while supporting a better food system.
Join the master blenders from Dust Bros and Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food UK, for an exclusive 45-minute workshop at the Tonbridge Food Festival. This high-energy session is designed for anyone who wants to take their kitchen game to the next level without sacrificing health or ethics.

What to Expect:
Master the "Dust": Dan and James from Dust Bros will show you how to use their handcrafted, all-natural seasonings to transform everyday ingredients into "Everything Epic" meals. Learn the secrets of balancing smoke, spice, and zest using blends free from artificial additives and refined sugars.
Eat Slow, Live Well: Shane Holland will dive into the global Slow Food movement, explaining why choosing "Good, Clean, and Fair" food is a radical and delicious act. Discover how small changes in your pantry can support biodiversity and local producers.
Get hands-on tips for seasoning for everything.

Event Venue

Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge, United Kingdom

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