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.

Cherish Finden is an internationally acclaimed pastry chef celebrated for her precision, creativity, and show-stopping dessert designs. Born in Singapore, she trained in some of the country’s leading hotels before bringing her talents to London, where she quickly rose to the top of the pastry world. As Executive Pastry Chef at The Langham London, Cherish earned widespread acclaim for her exquisite afternoon teas and intricately crafted patisserie, combining technical mastery with bold artistic flair. Her work consistently pushes the boundaries of modern dessert presentation. A familiar face on television, Cherish is best known as a judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, where her exacting standards and expert palate have made her a standout. At a food festival, she brings elegance, inspiration, and world-class expertise—offering audiences a rare chance to experience the artistry and precision behind truly exceptional pastry.

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.

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.

Phil Vickery is a former England rugby captain and World Cup winner, celebrated for his strength on the field and his passion for great British food. A key figure in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, Phil earned over 70 international caps and is widely respected as one of the game’s finest props.

Since retiring from professional rugby, Phil has turned his focus to food, farming, and fire cooking, becoming a passionate advocate for quality British produce. Raised in Cornwall, his love of the land and sea continues to influence his cooking style, which champions simple, hearty dishes packed with flavour.

He won the sixth season of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011 and was considered "serious talent" by judges, wowing them with dishes like duck breast with lentils and chorizo. His cooking style focuses on fresh, seasonal, and carefully judged flavours, influenced by his rural upbringing.

Expect big flavours, open-fire cooking, and behind-the-scenes stories from both the rugby pitch and the kitchen.

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.

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.