The Hampton Court Food festival was back in full force this year over the August bank holiday with a plethora of food, drinks, and delicious treats. Lynn Kabagenyi reviews.
Held at Henry VIII’s famous palace, the festival took place from 27-29 August 2022 and offered a wide range of street food, pop up bars, bespoke drinks, drinks masterclasses, circus skills, games for children and the whole family, live music on the bandstand, face painting and more.
Supported by BBC Food Good and sponsored by Lexus cars, The LU Café, Bone Idyll Liquid Masterclass, and Birra Menabrea, there were exciting new stalls added to this year’s summer food festival. For example, Bam Bam Crepe, The Grumpy Dumpling, Wineomania and more.
The festival catered to people of all ages from young to old and is renown to be a fun-filled-day for the whole family. Circus Sensible, are a circus company based in Manchester and have been a regular exhibitor at the Hampton Court food festival, provided three fantastic shows on the first day of the festival. Including a range of games for children and all the family to enjoy, such as, hula hoops, juggling, spinning plates, tightwire etc.
I spoke with Tim from Circus Sensible (left in picture below), he said: “I think the most fun has been had with the bucket that we carried all the stuff in. Kids have been putting it on their heads and running around.”
“The first three dads that arrived today could all juggle clubs. We attract a lot of adults. Everybody gets involved,” Tim said.
With tickets costing £26.10 for adults, £13 for children aged 5-15 years and no charge for under 5-year old’s, visitors took every opportunity to pace themselves from tasty treats, bespoke drinks, authentic cafés and more while enjoying the captivating surroundings and water fountains.
Serving authentic cuisine, BEYroots is recognised as the first Lebanese street food company in the UK- with unique flavours from its origins.
Founded in 2017, BEYroots now has a permanent restaurant in Tooting Broadway market and serves popular Lebanon street food favourites such as wraps, salads and grilled meats. The bestseller on the first day of the Hampton Court food festival was the Shish Lahme, grilled marinated lamb, hummus and tabouleh salad garnished is a succulent garlic chilli or tahini of a customer’s choice. For meat eaters’ other options were the Shish Tawouk, a combination of grilled tawouk marinated chicken, tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce.
Tariq Khaldi (middle) Founder of Beyroots Shish Tawouk wrap – Photos Lynn Kabagenyi
I ordered the Shish Tawouk chicken wrap, it reenergised my day as the deliciously tender marinated chicken, with a kick of pickles and chilli was a unique and tasty combination.
Tariq Khaldi, founder of BEYroots was delighted that his business has overcome tough times such as Covid-19 lockdowns and the UK’s current economic uncertainty.
“It’s our fourth year at Hampton court food festival. We’re always here every August bank holiday.”
Catering to sweet tooth enthusiasts, Nix bakery, based in Croydon, is a nut free bakery service by Law graduate, Nicole Igho.
Nix bakery arrived at the festival with a range of cookies and small and jumbo macron flavours that catered to many visitors. Such as kinder Bueno, red velvet and biscoff options.
Guru World foods and spices transported its customers’ taste buds to Gujarat and Pakistani inspired meals. The bestseller on the first day of the Hampton Court food festival was none other than the humble crispy vegetable samosas (£5), served with date and tamarind chutney and coriander green chilli mango chutney.
Raj Shah, owner of Guru World foods said, “It’s our first time here at Hampton Court food festival. I’ve been running my Guru world food and spices shop in Brighton for one year and a half.”
Overall, the anticipated Hampton Court Food festival was a fun day for all held at an excellent historical venue during the August bank holiday weekend. Next Festival August 2023.
https://www.hrpfestivals.com/hampton-court-palace
You may also enjoy reading about Pub in the Park 2022.
