The sun is out, the many May bank holidays are almost done and the tastiest season - food festival season - is in full swing. And as we prepare for our final three-day weekend until August, Welsh foodies will be pleased to hear that this weekend, you can celebrate with a trip to the historic setting of Caldicot Castle for the Street Food Circus' new festival, The Big Banquet.
Taking place on Saturday, May 27, Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29, The Big Banquet will be hosting not only street food traders, but performers, DJs, buskers and even fire shows too.
With food sorted, the drinks will also be flowing with help from Newport's Tiny Rebel craft beer bar as well as the Applecart Cider Bar and SFC's Lola's Cocktail Bar.
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Speaking about this new street food venture, that promises to be equally as delicious as its sister events - Roath Yard, Forest Feastival and Street Food Cinema - founder and 'ringmaster' Matt 'the hat' said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing the wonderful world of Street Food Circus to Caldicot and to give people the chance to experience a whole world of food all in one place, from some of the most exciting chefs in Wales.
“The Big Banquet is a brand new immersive street food event we’ve created for this unique historic site - a celebration of food and family over one delicious bank holiday weekend. And there’s much more than food on offer - from toasting marshmallows over open fires with the kids while tightrope walkers show off their skills, to sipping cocktails made with Welsh spirits after dark to chilled out sets from our guest DJs. It’s going to be a perfect bank holiday for the whole family - you can even bring the dog!” For the biggest food festivals in Wales this year, have a look here.
Here's everything we know so far:
When and where is the Big Banquet?
The Big Banquet is coming, for the first time, to Monmouthshire at its Caldicot Castle this weekend - Saturday, May 27 - Monday, May 29.
The recommended travel is via careshare or the train. The event website says: "Caldicot Castle is just 10mins off the M4 between Chepstow and Newport (exit at Magor Services junction 23A. We encourage you to carshare or take the train (Seven Tunnel Junction / Caldicot) We operate an event carpark, places are limited please only use the carpark during your session."
Parking is only available during the booked
Address: Caldicot Castle, Church Rd, Caldicot NP26 4HU
The event will be running between 11am and 10pm on Saturday and Sunday. On bank holiday Monday, it will be between 11am and 5pm.
How to get tickets?
Tickets for the event are available to purchase on The Big Banquet website with two sessions in the daytime and evening available on Saturday and Sunday. There is one daytime session on Bank Holiday Monday. Tickets are £5 plus booking fee and kids tickets are free. While booking is recommended, walk-ins for tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Who are the street food traders?
From pan-seared and sliced steak smothered in delectable Chimichurri to potatoes doused in 'chippy lane' chicken curry sauce and vegan 'crispy beef' bao buns, there's something to suit everybody's needs: carnivores, herbivores, gluten-free diners and more. Here's what you can expect:
- Fire and Flank
- Keralan Karavan
- Pot Heads
- Kindle: The Fried Chicken Chronicles
- Nomad Kitchen
- Sin Nombre Tacos
- El Cabron Tacos
- Smokin' Griddle
- Church of Churros
- Bao Selecta
- Bare Bones Pizza
- The Queen Pepiada
Captain Joys
- Pwdin
Chock Shop
For drinks, as previously mentioned, Newport's Tiny Rebel craft beer bar will be quenching your thirst as well as the Applecart Cider Bar and Lola's Cocktail Bar. Alongside these, foodies can expect appearances from Mid-Wales based natural sparkling wine company Mydflower, coffee from Coaltown and cocktails from Harlequin.
Please note that this is a cashless event and so you will need to pay via card.
For more information on the event, see The Big Banquet website.
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