Andrew Dickens is a British chef known for his bold, produce-led cooking and modern approach to seasonal cuisine. With a career shaped by working in high-level kitchens across the UK, he has developed a style that combines refined technique with a passion for honest, flavour-driven food. His dishes celebrate the best of British ingredients, often elevated with contemporary twists and global influences. A confident and engaging presence, Andrew brings both skill and personality to the stage, making complex techniques feel accessible and inspiring for all audiences. At a food festival, he delivers an exciting blend of innovation and approachability -sharing his love of great produce, clever cooking, and unforgettable flavours.

Nathan “Big Nath” Ritchie is a self-taught, award-winning chef and the creative force behind Big Nath’s BBQ – a lockdown-born venture that has grown into one of Bristol’s most beloved BBQ brands. Fuelled by a deep passion for smoking meats and using the finest locally sourced ingredients, Nathan and his partner Kinsey, have transformed a humble street food stall into a thriving business. Today, Big Nath’s BBQ spans event catering, a dedicated BBQ school, and a specialist BBQ shop.

Elena Deminska is a fermentation expert, food entrepreneur, and founder of FERMARY, the award-winning London-based brand championing the power of fermented foods for flavour, wellbeing, and gut health. Inspired by the preserving traditions of her childhood and years spent working with exceptional produce, Elena transformed a passion for reducing food waste into one of the UK's most respected fermentation businesses. Known for her vibrant krauts, kimchis, sauces, and innovative ferments, she has become a leading voice in the modern fermentation movement, helping home cooks discover how simple, delicious, and transformative fermented foods can be. Through her workshops, talks, and products, Elena inspires people to embrace the ancient art of fermentation in a way that feels accessible, creative, and relevant to everyday life.

Eva Humphries MSc, DipION, mBANT, CNHC is a clinical nutritionist, cookery demonstrator and speaker who makes eating well feel refreshingly doable. With over ten years of experience across clinical practice, media and live events, Eva is known for using storytelling, humour and clear thinking to turn nutrition science into advice we can actually put into action. A firm sceptic of food fads and nutritional nonsense, Eva champions whole, flavour-packed food that works in real life. Her cookery demos blend practical cooking tips with smart nutrition know-how, while her talks offer clear, science-led insights that are empowering instead of overwhelming.

Expect learning and plenty of “oh, that actually makes sense” moments. Outside of festivals, Eva runs a successful nutrition clinic and regularly contributes expert commentary to national publications including The Telegraph, The Times and Women’s Health. She also delivers corporate wellbeing programmes and hosts retreats, all underpinned by a simple belief: nutrition is only useful if it actually helps us live and eat well.

Attend one of Eva’s sessions for entertaining, practical know-how and a reassuring reminder that eating well should be enjoyable.

Jane Dunn is the bestselling baker, author, and creator behind the hugely popular Jane’s Patisserie brand. Known for her fun, accessible, and indulgent recipes, Jane has inspired millions of home bakers through her viral social media content, chart-topping cookbooks, and live TV appearances. From iconic NYC cookies to showstopping cheesecakes, her easy-to-follow approach and love of baking have made her one of the UK’s most recognisable baking personalities.

Joseph Nesbitt-Larking is a chef, live-fire cooking expert, and food educator with a passion for helping people cook confidently over fire. After spending nearly a decade co-running one of the UK's leading barbecue schools, Joseph went on to head the lunch service at the Michelin-starred Hegel Eins in Stuttgart, refining his craft while continuing to champion exceptional seasonal produce. Now travelling internationally to host live-fire demonstrations and barbecue events, Joseph combines expert technique with an engaging, down-to-earth style, inspiring cooks of all abilities to embrace the versatility, flavour, and theatre of cooking over flame.

Kate Jenkins is the founder of the award-winning Gower Cottage Brownies and one of the UK’s most beloved brownie bakers. What started in her kitchen at Gower Cottage in 2006 has grown into a thriving business with a devoted nationwide following, thanks to her irresistible brownies, blondies, and passion for quality ingredients. Known for creating indulgent treats packed with flavour and creativity, Kate has spent nearly two decades perfecting her recipes and delighting chocolate lovers across the country. She is also the author of The Brownie Book, a celebration of her iconic bakes featuring everything from classic favourites to inventive new flavour combinations, inspiring home bakers to create their own showstopping treats.

Molly Robbins turns cake into lifelike art! Swapping a career in special effects makeup for sugarcraft, Molly uses her expertise in sculpting and airbrushing to create breathtaking, edible replicas of animals and food. Famous as a featured artist on all four series of Extreme Cake Makers (seen worldwide on Netflix), she is a familiar face at international conventions and demonstrations. In 2022, she opened her own studio, "molly’s," bringing her unique, high-end creations to life.

Paul A. Young is one of the UK’s most celebrated master chocolatiers and pâtissiers, famed for his bold creativity and boundary-pushing approach to flavour. Originally trained as a pastry chef in prestigious kitchens - including Marco Pierre White’s Quo Vadis and Criterion - he turned his focus to chocolate in the mid-2000s, quickly making his mark on the industry.

In 2006, he founded Paul A. Young Fine Chocolates in Camden Passage, London, earning widespread acclaim for his inventive, experimental creations. Now focused on education, he shares his expertise through “Chocolate At Home” masterclasses and consultancy, inspiring a new generation of chocolate lovers.

An award-winning author, his book Adventures with Chocolate was named World’s Best Chocolate Book at the Gourmand Cookbook Awards, alongside other popular titles. A regular on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and Junior MasterChef, Paul brings passion, personality, and a taste of true artisan chocolate to every stage - making him a must-see at any food festival.

Ping stunned the MasterChef judges with food inspired by her Malaysian heritage to become MasterChef 2014 Champion. She took the famous trophy home again, winning BBC MasterChef Champion of Champions in 2022, becoming the first double MasterChef Champion.

Growing up in Ipoh, Malaysia surrounded by amazing food, Ping was inspired by her mother’s cookery. Now living in the UK and travelling globally, she draws inspiration from her heritage but delivers her food with modern twists and ingredients found locally.

Ping regularly hosts supper clubs and events across the country, including her hometown of Bath at venues including Bertinet Kitchen, as well as masterclasses at her Ping at Home Kitchen, and Divertimenti Cookery School. She’s currently working on her next book to showcase the wonderful food of Malaysia.

Richard Bertinet is an internationally respected baker, teacher, and author, renowned for transforming how people understand and work with dough. Born in Brittany and based in the UK, he is the founder of The Bertinet Kitchen, where his hands-on, instinctive approach has inspired thousands of professional and home bakers. Best known for his influential book Dough, Richard is also a familiar face on television and at food festivals worldwide. Passionate, generous, and deeply knowledgeable, he brings infectious energy and mastery of craft to every demonstration and workshop.

Ryan Riley is an award-winning chef, bestselling author, and founder of the pioneering charity Life Kitchen, which helps people living with cancer rediscover the joy of food and flavour. Inspired by his late mother’s experience with cancer treatment, Ryan has become a passionate advocate for the power of food to comfort, connect, and heal. Through his acclaimed cookbooks, television appearances, and nationwide cookery events, he combines creativity, warmth, and bold flavour to inspire audiences across the UK.

Steve "The Hungry Guy" is a community chef, food educator and lifelong food enthusiast on a mission to make great food accessible to everyone. Having trained in professional kitchens, including working alongside Jamie Oliver, and spent part of his career developing products for some of the world's biggest food brands and retailers, Steve now channels his expertise into communities across the UK.

Whether he's cooking with schools, charities and prisons or inspiring crowds at festivals and events, Steve believes food has the power to connect people, build confidence and create positive change. His infectious energy and passion for cooking prove that good food really can bring everyone to the table.

The Happy Pear is the vibrant plant-based food brand founded by twin brothers David Flynn and Stephen Flynn. Hailing from Greystones, they began their journey with a small fruit and veg shop and a simple mission: to help people eat more vegetables and live healthier, happier lives. Since then, The Happy Pear has grown into a global movement, spanning cafés, cookbooks, online courses, and a hugely popular social media presence. Known for their high-energy style and feel-good approach, the twins inspire audiences with delicious, accessible plant-based recipes and practical lifestyle tips.

Regulars on TV and bestselling authors, they bring enthusiasm, humour, and a passion for wellness to everything they do. At a food festival, The Happy Pear deliver an uplifting experience packed with flavour, positivity, and plenty of inspiration to eat well and live better.

Thuy Diem Pham is a bestselling author, chef, and widely recognised authority on Vietnamese cuisine in the UK. Formerly head chef and restaurateur of London’s acclaimed The Little Viet Kitchen, she became known for blending refined restaurant technique with the warmth and soul of home-style Vietnamese cooking. Since stepping beyond her award-winning restaurant, Thuy has captivated audiences at food festivals and on television, including MasterChef UK. She is the author of three cookbooks, the bestselling The Little Viet Kitchen and Vietnamese Made Easy, and her brand new release, One Pan Vietnam. Through her writing, broadcasting, and consultancy work, she continues to make authentic Vietnamese food approachable, vibrant, and deeply personal for today’s cooks.