There’s a big name and a new venue  for the Great Food and Drink Festival 2018 as reported in the Nottingham Post.

Celebrity chef James Martin will headline the annual event. The venue is usually in the grounds of Nottingham Castle over May Bank Holiday weekend.

The three-day festival attracts thousands of foodies and families. The event will relocate as the Castle is to close shortly for a £26m revamp.

The event’s new home will be Rufford Abbey Country Park, two miles south of Ollerton, from May 26-28.

The grounds of Rufford Abbey are the new venue

Martin, former Saturday Kitchen host, will be entertaining the crowds with on-stage demonstrations in the main kitchen arena on the Saturday.

Other star guests will be announced in coming weeks.

New attractions for the Great Food and Wine Festival 2018

New attractions are planned for 2018 including The Gin Collection offerings tastings, workshops and masterclasses. They will also have a gin bar selling cocktails and G&Ts.

The Big BBQ will bring together a selection of some of the finest purveyors of barbecued food.  The providers ranging from pop-up restaurants to street food vendors.

There will be gin…

Workshops by a master butcher and pitmasters will be sharing their tips and secrets on the fine art of smoking and barbecue.

Competitions suited to chilli lovers such as the Big Chilli Showdown; and the The Snobby Butcher Hot Wings Challenge.

All the usual stalls and attractions, including foodie delights, crafts, children’s workshops will be in attendance. The popular bus bar – an open-air double decker – will be there. too

Last year’s event was headlined by legendary Italian chef Antonio Carluccio, who sadly passed away in November.

Antonio Carluccio at last year’s event

A second Great Food and Drink Festival takes place in August at Newstead Abbey.

The shows are a fantastic way to bring families and people together through their love of great food and drink.