About
The popular Durham County Council-run festival will return to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for a weekend of sizzling street food, delicious desserts and fun-filled family entertainment. Across the two days, visitors can try produce from over 140 independent traders selling everything from burgers and savoury snacks, cakes and sweet treats, to jams, pickles, breads and a range of distillers, juices, coffee, tea, and ales.
And while festivalgoers enjoy their goodies, they can be entertained by a range of family performers and visit the main cookery stage, which will feature demonstrations from an exciting line-up of celebrity chefs. A Sunday Brunch host, social media baker, and a MasterChef champion are among the celebrity chefs who will appear at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival.
Appearing at the festival on Saturday will be chef and Sunday Brunch co-presenter, Simon Rimmer. Simon has presented and cooked on a variety of shows, including Tricks of the Restaurant Trade; Something for the Weekend; Win It, Cook It; Breaking into Tesco’s and Eat The Week. Also taking to the cookery stage on Saturday is food writer, photographer and blogger Jane Dunn, also known as Jane’s Patisserie. Jane launched Jane's Patisserie ten years ago and, in that time, has amassed 2.5 million followers across her social media channels. Saturday’s stage will also feature demonstrations from MasterChef 2024 champion Brin Pirathapan. Simon, Jane and Brin will be joined by crowd favourite and TV presenter Chris Bavin, who returns as host. Chris co-presents BBC One’s popular series Eat Well for Less? alongside Jordan Banjo and is a regular on The One Show.
The star chefs who will be entertaining audiences on Sunday are the formidable TV judge and pastry chef, Cherish Finden, who has previously appeared at Bishop’s sister event, Seaham Food Festival. Cherish is a highly decorated pastry chef, Cherish is best known for her role as a judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals where she delivers her trademark sharp critiques. Also appearing on Sunday is Italian chef, Francesco Mattana, and master chocolatier, Paul A Young who was named one of the world’s finest master chocolatiers, Yorkshire-born Paul grew up in Trimdon Station and trained to be a chef at New College Durham, after baking with his mum and grandmother sparked a love for all things sweet.
Who will be appearing as part of their cultural programme in 2025
Take a look at the amazing line up for the weekend. Dancing ‘grannies’, Lollipop Ladies, steel bands, and theatre acts are among the free family acts performed at the festival.
Lollipop Ladies (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located throughout the day at Bondgate, Market Place and Newgate Street
With excessive enthusiasm and a slippery grip on reality, the Lollipop Ladies are here to help and hinder. Fluorescent and effervescent, the 64th emergency service, the luminous hand of the law, they are a veritable flurry of fluoro. Experience their traffic-trauma, delight in their neon neuroisis, and cross them at your peril!
Granny Turismo (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located throughout the day at Bondgate, Market Place and Newgate Street
Meet the World’s first dancing shopping trolley act! The ladies from The Grannies have been delighting audiences since 2009 are now one of the most talked about acts around. The show has universal appeal and is part walkabout, part circle show and wholly engaging. When these girls come ’round to perform their amazing shopping trolley act, everyone takes notice.
Bell & Bullock (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located throughout the day at Bondgate, Market Place and Newgate Street
Meet Capt Bullock riding Polly and Meranda the drop dead gorgeous Mermaid! Captain Bullock rides Polly, his temperamental giant parrot puppet liable to cause mayhem anywhere within a 2 metre radius, on a quest for treasure, birdseed and romance. Meranda, the gorgeous Mermaid, is a temptress in all her fishy glory. She rides a beautiful seahorse puppet drawn chariot, spreading beauty tips and amorous looks on her continued quest to find and catch a handsome and largely unsuspecting sailor in her large shrimping net. Will the Captain fall for her ravishing beauty and scaly seductiveness?
North Tyneside Steel Band (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located at the Monument
Founded in 1989, North Tyneside Steelband are one of the oldest bands in the North East and perform nationally and internationally at official, corporate and private functions. The band is a charity with the aim of advancing the abilities of children, young people and adults alike in the art of steel pan. The band would not be able to operate without kind donations for performances and busking, which allow the band to teach and promote carribean music to people across the North East.
Citizen Songwriters (Appearing Saturday) Located at the Monument
Citizen Songwriters’ Sam Slatcher and Alex Summerson will be sharing original songs about County Durham, drawing from their time running community songwriting projects. From stories of seeking sanctuary, to tales from the rails, their songs will inspire you to look again at the rich cultural heritage of the North East. Citizen Songwriters is a social enterprise that aims to strengthen communities, support people who are socially isolated, break down barriers and enable individuals to discover their story and participate in the cultural life of their community.
Stanley Youngman (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located at No 43 on Saturday and the Bath Corner on Sunday
Stanley is a brilliant street circus performer with over 20 years of experience. He has a diverse show with skills from the circus which he brings to the street. Including diablo, juggling, rola bola and fire juggling. His show is interactive and engaging and leaves a long-lasting impression on his audience.
BubblePlay (Appearing Saturday and Sunday) Located at the Bath Corner on Saturday and No 43 on Sunday
Bubble specialists BubblePlaY are the bubbliest entertainers around! BubblePlaY magical soap bubble displays will mesmerise children and charm the grown-ups. Bringing fun and joy to the festival!
The Rock Choir (Appearing Saturday) Located in the Palace Grounds
Highly-regarded for its standard of excellence, its educational approach and outstanding well-being results, the unique Rock Choir Experience has attracted a membership, nationwide, of over 30,000 individuals as well as experiencing a high media profile. Members come from all walks of life and mainly have no music experience at all but build their confidence in each rehearsal as their voice blends with those around them.
Steve Pledger (Appearing Sunday) Located at the Monument
Steve Pledger is an award-winning singer/songwriter and performer. He has been described as “a master of his craft” by folking.com and FATEA Magazine wrote that seeing him perform live is “a privilege to witness.” Performing at this year’s Food Festival, expect a selection of original songs, together with well-known covers, all presented with Steve’s passionate delivery.
.png )
'Have a Go Sessions' - Bishop Auckland Food FestivalBishop Auckland College are delighted to offer 'have a go’ sessions at this year’s Food Festival.
Chocolate Truffle Master Class with Master Chocolatier Paul A.Young - Bishop Auckland Food FestivalChocolate Truffle Master Class with Master Chocolatier Paul A.Young. Create indulgent hand-rolled and enrobed chocolate truffles with Paul in this one-hour hands-on masterclass at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.
Find out what’s happening this week across the Culture County. From festivals and exhibitions, to sport and theatre, you’re certain to have an eventful time in Durham.
