The highly anticipated Spring Food Festival 2026 is set to take place at the historic Speech House Hotel, next month bringing together food lovers, local producers, and top culinary talent for a vibrant celebration of seasonal cuisine.

Nestled in the heart of the Forest of Dean, the Speech House Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for a Sunday dedicated to fresh flavours, artisan craftsmanship, and community spirit. The festival will showcase an exciting array of local food and drink, including farm-fresh produce, handcrafted baked goods, fine cheeses, street food, and award-winning beverages.

Forest Deli
Forest Deli will be at the food festival (Speech House)
The Pudding Shop
Get your sweet fix at The Pudding Shop (Food Fest)
Forest Bakehouse
There's a wide choice available from the Forest Bakehouse (Food Fest)
Food Fest
Crowds enjoying last year's festival (Food Fest)
Captain Redbelly & his acrobatic pirates
There will be fun with Captain Redbelly and his acrobatic pirates (Speech House Food Fest)
Debbie Jones, Owner Forest Deli, Guest Curator of the Cookery Theatre.
Debbie Jones, Owner of Forest Deli and guest curator of the Cookery Theatre. (Debbie Jones)
Kids cookery classes
Kids cookery classes at the Speech House food festival (Speech House)
Captain Redbelly
Don't miss the performance by Captain Redbelly and his pirate team (Food Fest)

Visitors can enjoy live cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs, including Michael Fowler, owner chef from Simply Wild Restaurant, Arron Christopher, head chef at Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Indian cookbook and food writer Suki Pantel, apprentice of the year Theo Haughland from Harts Barn Cookery School, all brought to you by the wonderful guest curator Debbie Jones from Forest Deli in Coleford. There will be talks and tastings, food and drink pairings designed to highlight the best of spring ingredients.

A certain highlight will be the Kids Cookery sessions from Harts Barn Cookery School when youngsters will be making dips, chopping veggie sticks and making Vietnamese spring rolls and nettle veggie burgers.

Family-friendly entertainment will include acrobatic pirates, circus skills, a Punch and Judy show and activities for all ages which will ensure a lively atmosphere throughout the event.

Live Musicians will perform throughout the day from Berry Hill Band, The Forest of Dean Wellbeing Choir, Scott James and Onika Venus

“We’re thrilled to host the Spring Food Festival once again,” said Amanda Smith, spokesperson for the festival organisers. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to support local producers, discover new flavours, and bring people together in a truly special setting.”

The festival takes place on May 24.