The cookie tour is a fun and interactive activity designed for families with children. A self-guided walking tour that starts at the Festival heart on Parliament Street and ends at St. Crux Hall.
Participants receive a map/guide leaflet that includes questions about participating businesses in the area, providing a unique and engaging way for families to explore the local food and culture scene, while also having fun and learning new things along the way.
The tour stops at the Museum Gardens, where participants can take part in the Food Factory and ends at St Crux where a cookie can be decorated to take home.
You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point.
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located opposite the Shambles Market Entrance on Parliament Street.
A self-guided walking trail around the city of York and an opportunity to try samples from some of the best York’s food scene by visiting a range of deli’s, restaurants and suppliers.
We have two Taste Trails for you to enjoy, East and West York.
Each trail features around 20 stops to sample the best of York’s food scene as well as a tasting hub with more samples to enjoy.
This years participants include:
West Trail – 22 Yards, Dusk, Fancy Hanks, Forest @ Galtres Lodge, Fudge Kitchen, Hairy Fig, Howl, Impossible York, Love Cheese, Museum Street Tavern, Pho, Rafi’s Spicebox, Shambles Pork Pie & Sausage Shop, Taylor Made Kitchen, Tricolor, Trinacria, York Cocoa Works, Elefant, Forage & City Screen.
East Trail – 2ManyWines, Biga+, Brew York, Cafe 21, Divine Coffee, Explore Reading Cafe, The Good Food Shop, Hotel Indigo, Little Blondie Bakehouse, Middletons, The Chopping Block @ Walmgate Ale House, The Principal, Whippet Inn, Yuzu
You will receive the map and guide linked above that outlines the various participating businesses, along with a schedule of when each business is open and offering samples.
The samples provided on the taste trail vary widely depending on the participating businesses, but may include small bites of food, such as cheeses, meats, breads, and desserts, as well as drinks, such as wine or beer.
Overall, the Taste Trail is a fun and engaging way for visitors to sample a wide variety of local food and drink offerings and experience the unique flavours and culture of a particular York.
Tickets are limited to 100 per day – You can either pre-book online or purchase your booklet at the information point (while stocks last)
Collection of the trail booklet is from the Information Point any day between 10am to 4pm, located opposite the Shambles Market Entrance on Parliament Street.
The York Food Festival offers a series of free cookery workshops, which are designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to learn new culinary skills and how food is made.
The workshops are open to all ages and held at the Museum Gardens, and St. Crux Hall.
Friday 22nd, from 3pm to 4pm
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th, from 10am to 4pm
Monday 25th to Friday 29th, from 3pm to 4pm
(rest of the day reserved for school, where we welcome over 1000 children to participate over the 5 days)
Saturday 30th and Sunday 1st, from 10am to 4pm
At the minimum, there are six workshops available, covering a range of themes including bread making, pasta making, vegan dips, and smoking your own food. New workshop themes will be added in for 2023, ensuring that there is always something new to learn and discover at the festival.
The workshops are interactive and hands-on, providing participants with an opportunity to get involved in the cooking process and learn by doing. The workshops are suitable for all ages, and experienced instructors are on hand to provide guidance and support.
The York Food Festival is always on the lookout for talented volunteers to work with the public by delivering workshops. If you are someone who has a passion for cooking and wants to give back to the community, then we encourage you to consider volunteering with us. If interested, please fill out our online form
Did you know that the York Food Festival is a not-for-profit organisation?
Any money generated (from trader fees to ticket sales) goes back into the festival to improve it year after year.
During the festivals we run this extensive free food education programme for all visitors to the festival.
Please consider making a donation to support this programme and keep it running.
The Intro to York Breakfast Tour has been created with two things in mind: First, to see some of the city’s historical sights and get your bearings before the crowds arrive. Second, to introduce you to a handful of York’s best-kept breakfast secrets.
Facepainting, hair braiding and henna tattoos available with Fantastic Faces.
The Hidden Gems Food Tour from Tours in a dish has been carefully developed over several years for foodies who want to dive right into York’s fantastic food scene.
Witness a 300 year old recipe being prepared in a historical kitchen
Fran, the owner of Ippuku Tea House, joins us to open our demonstration line up this year. Don’t miss the chance to quiz her on Japanese food!
Taste your way around the centre of York, taking a culinary and cultural adventure stopping at five of the city’s independents.
Steph Moon is a former Great British Menu contestant and well established legend of the Yorkshire Food Scene. For this demonstration she’ll be cooking a roast beef dinner!
Marlon Sanchez has been building a name recently running 1711 in this iconic York building. His festival debut will tell you about his food journey that’s led to distinctive dishes such as Asian-spiced beef shin.
A mouthwatering stroll through the history of York’s vibrant markets, indulging a snacky feast of delicious market delights!
Witness a 300 year old recipe being prepared in a historical kitchen
Executive Chef Aaron Craig joins us to show off what he’s whipping up at The Refectory at The Principal Hotel. Expect refined cookery with Yorkshire produce!
If you love food, love our planet, and love the idea of tasting your way around one of the UK’s most historic cities, this tour from Tours in a dish is for you!
Stephen Cummings heads up the kitchen at City Screen to offer a wide range of boldly flavoured dishes. This is a great chance to catch up on what’s happening at York’s most central cinema.
Featuring live music from local bands and singer songwriters, starting from Friday 22nd to Saturday 30th September between 5pm to 9pm.
The Main Stage will will take place in the entertainment marquee (between Barclays and Halifax), and The Acoustic Stage on St Sampson’s Square. Both are free for all attendees to enjoy.
The line up for each night can be found HERE
We are proud to be supporting St Leonard’s Hospice as our chosen charity for the festival. You can support the charity by making a donation.
What better way to start the 2023 York Food & Drink Festival than an
evening trying 6 delightful whiskies with 6 delicious cheeses?
The first York Whisky Club tasting was a combined effort with Love
Cheese of Gillygate and was extremely enjoyed by all who attended.
After that highly successful joint tasting at the start of 2022, York
Whisky Club is once again joining forces with Love Cheese to offer you
some sublime taste pairings.
