This weekend, my social media was flooded with swoon-worthy shots from the Ballymaloe Festival of Food in Ireland, one of my favourite events in the food world's social calendar. It truly stands out due to its range of stalls, personalities, and demos, and because you also get a glimpse into the world of the ever-inspiring Allen family. I desperately want an outbuilding purely for fermenting and making sourdough, just like Darina.
Weekends such as this are becoming increasingly popular, and they are undoubtedly a fun and great way to try a variety of cuisines. However, you do not have to attend a food festival to enjoy decent festival food. Almost all festivals now boast impressive culinary offerings. I have had some highly memorable meals at events like Glastonbury, End of the Road, and Latitude. Forget living off kebabs and chips after a day of dancing in a field; some of my highlights have included Tibetan momos, vegan thali with sweet chai, and Goan fish curry. While there is no Glastonbury this year, there are plenty of other places to get your fix. You could even bring the party home.
Festival Favourites to Make at Home
The Goan fish curry stall at Glastonbury is a real institution. Felicity Cloake's recipe for Goan seafood curry hits all the right notes and can be made a bit fancier by adding juicy king prawns. I have already planned to make a batch for the last weekend of June and enjoy it while sitting in the garden wearing muddy wellies and adorned with glow sticks.
I am also a sucker for a chewy momo when at a festival. The recipe pictured above is one I have always made with my girls. Mild in flavour and fun to put together, they are a great way to get kids helping in the kitchen. For slightly more advanced momos, Meera Sodha's fiery sweet potato ones are a real joy. Despite being a hardcore coffee addict, I love nothing more than a sweet, spiced chai when at a festival: it is both soothing and energising. By the evening, I usually reach for something with a bit more punch, like Heritage Dulwich's Bhojpura cutting chai, which includes a splash of both Baileys and vodka, perfect for when the evening gets chilly.
Classic Festival Snacks
For more traditional food festival offerings, you might consider a cheese toastie or even kebabs. After a long day and some inevitable rain, few things are more comforting than a crisp, oozing cheese butty. My top three are Tom Kerridge's simple, chutney-filled version; Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson's quince and spring onion toastie, inspired by their much-loved Towpath Cafe in London; and Maunika Gowardhan's glorious chilli cheese toastie.
Last but never least, we have kebabs. Often associated with post-drinking fodder, in our house they are regularly on the menu. They are the perfect street and festival food. I adore Samin Nosrat's recipe for kufte kebabs, Rukmini Iyer's quick and easy tandoori chicken skewers with coriander chutney, and that perennial favourite, proper souvlaki. Whether in a field, after the pub, or just at home on a Sunday afternoon, a lemony, chargrilled pork souvlaki is always welcome. Yamas!
My Week in Food
Where to get your fix: With Blenheim Palace and Sheffield food festival taking place this weekend, the season is officially in full swing. Some of my favourite food stalls to look out for include Tibetan Kitchen for incredible momos, a reuben from Archie's Toasties, Dosa Deli for the best dosas, and Chick'n'Sours for incredibly tender, crisp fried chicken with seaweed salt.
Take your own: If you love an outdoor get-together but would rather take your own meal, consider a picnic hamper or afternoon tea. Depending on price point and preferences, there are many options: Cutter & Squidge offers a sweet afternoon tea box perfect for sitting on a lawn while listening to music; DukesHill has a wide range of hampers with beautiful artisanal produce for all occasions; and Fortnum & Mason always delivers on every front.
No place like home: If festivals are not your thing but you want low-effort street food, many caterers and restaurants offer at-home meal kits. I am a huge fan of The Beefy Boys and their phenomenal burgers; Matsudai has an excellent selection of ramen kits; and you can still get the lockdown classic Pizza Pilgrims kit from Ocado. If you still want a kebab, Dishpatch has relaunched my own souvlaki kit, which comes with all the accessories.
