Fabulous food and drink experiences, mouth-watering demos from top chef talent, grow your own tips, shopping and, of course, plenty of flora and fauna, will all feature at the region’s largest seasonal celebration of gardening and outdoor living, RHS Malvern Spring Festival from 11 – 14 May 2023 at Three Counties Showground.
Things are heating up as organisers promise to start barbecue season early with the arrival of the brand-new Fire & Feast Theatre, supported by Kadai Bowl, Caradoc Charcoal Ltd and Love Logs. Co-hosting the new stage is award-winning food writer and Otter Farm founder, Mark Diacono, and everybody’s favourite Shropshire Lad and barbecue sensation, Adam Purnell.
If expertise in home growing, fermenting or open fire cookery isn’t enough to draw crowds, the sizzling aromas from the flaming Kadai Bowl demos surely will. These authentic Indian cooking bowls, traditionally repurposed as show-stopping centrepieces for celebrations hundreds of years ago, are now must-have BBQ pits hailed the ultimate tool for cooking over fire.
Joining the anticipated line-up is well-known TV presenter and ingredient expert, Gregg Wallace MBE, TV chef and cookery school owner Marcus Bean and Anthony ‘Murf’ Murphy, founder of award-winning cult burger brand The Beefy Boys, who will share the secret of how to make the ultimate burger at home.
For the first time at RHS Malvern Spring Festival, visitors are able to pre-book an exclusive dining experience in the idyllic new Taste Pods, offering an hour-and-a-half of relaxation, sophisticated nibbles and 360-degree views for groups of up to 6 people. Set against a backdrop of rolling Malvern hills, these transparent domes – heated for ultimate comfort – will serve pastries, cakes and charcuterie alongside a range of soft and alcoholic drinks. Taste Pod tables can be booked in advance at www.rhsmalvern.co.uk
New for 2023, the Bluebell Bistro will offer a more social affair for visitors, combining impeccable service and top-class fare, with a tantalising two-course lunch menu available to pre-book from Hereford’s finest, A to Zest. Booking details will be available on the website (www.rhsmalvern.co.uk) soon.
Visitors looking for lunch-on-the-go or to soak up the festival atmosphere and live music can head to the Festival Green, where they’ll be spoilt for choice from an exceptional range of local and regional food and drink producers. American style burgers from The Beefy Boys, authentic Spanish dishes from Shropshire’s Su Casa Cuisine and fresh wood-fired pizza from Bare Bones Pizza in Halesowen are just some of the tantalizing options available. Of course, a family day out wouldn’t be complete without a scoop (or two) of ice cream, courtesy of Bennetts from Worcestershire. Plenty of delicious plant-based options will cater for vegan and vegetarian visitors, including Mookies Indian Street Food, the Middle Eastern-inspired Handmade Natural Food and Goodness Gracious Healthy Foods.
The Vintage Tea Room is the ideal spot for a traditional British afternoon pick-me-up, meanwhile at The Greek Taverna (located in Severn Hall) visitors can immerse themselves in Greek culture and cuisine. RHS and Three Counties Showground members can also enjoy the comfort of an exclusive Members Lounge, serving hot drinks, select alcoholic beverages, cakes, pastries and a range of sandwiches.
No RHS festival would be complete without the opportunity to treat yourself to some of your favourite food and drink samples. This year’s line-up of artisan producers features the Loaded Sausage Company, Pimp Your Mayo spices, handmade cheeses by Croome Cuisine, cider and perry by Ragged Stone, award-winning elderflower liqueur from The Secret Aristocrat, a delicious selection from Charcuterie Hereford, fresh coffee from Francini’s Colombian Coffee, authentic Italian cuisine from Benedictos and the most Instagrammable delights by Divine Donuts.
Jane Edwards, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground, said: “While RHS Malvern Spring Festival is known for getting the prestigious RHS floral show season underway, the amazing array of experiences on offer across the Fire & Feast Theatre, Food and Drink Pavilion and Festival Green contends with some of the most exciting food festivals in the region.
“Food is something we all have in common, whether it’s a love of growing it, eating it, cooking it, or sharing it. Families can look forward to learning recipes to try at home, how to grow their own, get inspired by the joys of open-fire cookery and even celebrate a special occasion in one of our pre-bookable Taste Pods or bistro. Not forgetting the opportunity to sample the finest produce from across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire!”
Tickets for RHS Malvern Spring Festival are on sale now, priced from just £25, with under 16s being free of charge. Visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk to book tickets and dining experiences, as well as view the full programme of family fun.