Street Food Circus is bringing Forest Feastival back to its unique woodland site behind the dunes at Merthyr Mawr this September. This time, as well as street food favourites from across Wales, Forest Feastival is bringing two pop-up restaurants to the site, one with a focus on sustainable, seasonal produce - The Warren - and a first outing for one of Wales’ best-known Indian chef's new venture - Anand George presents the Canteen.
The full line-up of street food and guest chefs will be announced later in August and in past incarnations of the Feastival they've had Brother Thai, Hot Damn Wings, Bearded Taco and more. The Forest Feastival bars will include the Freedom Brewery craft beer bar, the BoBo cocktail bus and a wide range of craft sodas and soft drinks too.
Freedom Brewery is also bringing live music to the Forest Feastival tipi. The Freedom Sessions will be showcasing the best local talent on offer across music, comedy and other live entertainment. During the day, there’s a children’s area and circus-themed entertainment.
Read more: Matsudai Ramen has opened its doors in Grangetown and we can't tell you just how good it is
Bringing The Warren to the Feastival is a real treat for foodies, who may not have made it down to Deri Reed's award-winning Carmarthen restaurant, which has been open since 2016 with a goal to serve simple, wholesome food using local, seasonal and organic ingredients. This summer sees Deri take his restaurant out on the road to events and festivals for the first time. The team from The Warren will be serving favourites from the restaurant menu and new dishes inspired by the freshest local produce in September.
And local favourite Anand George will bring his new venture with Rupali Wagh, The Canteen, to Feastival, where diners will be able to try his new dishes, inspired by cooking with dosas, for the first time. Best known for celebrating South Indian flavours at his Purple Poppadom restaurant in Cardiff, which is listed in the Michelin Guide and named best in Wales at the British Curry Awards, Anand is a regular at Street Food Circus and Forest Feastival with his Tukka Tuk street food truck.
Matt ‘The Hat’ is the founder of Street Food Circus, the creative team behind Forest Feastival. He said: “We’re thrilled to be back at Merthyr Mawr. It’s a uniquely special location - in a woodland, by a castle, near the sea. It’s also equally accessible if you’re coming from Cardiff, Swansea or the valleys. We’re always looking to evolve and improve and, this time round, we’re reflecting the changing season. We’ve got chefs who are driven by the produce that’s around them and cook based on what’s best in season. It’s a rare opportunity to have these chefs all in one place, to be able to try new restaurant concepts before they open, and still to be able to revisit your favourite Street Food Circus and Forest Feastival regulars.
“September’s often a great month weather-wise - still warm enough to eat outdoors, but you can start to feel the nights drawing in, so it’s also a great time to be gathering around our campfire with a drink or two. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back beneath the Street Food Circus big top!"
Tickets cost £5+VAT & booking fee per person, with kids free. The ticket price includes free parking - though organisers ask visitors to use public transport or share cars where possible to keep pressure on the local roads to a minimum - and a Forest Feastival reusable cup for use at the bar. Tickets must be bought in advance from forestfeastival.com for one of three, three-hour sessions (morning/afternoon/evening)
READ NEXT:
- Third of us claim to have picnic ready to go in boot of car at any given time
- 11 barbecued things you should eat in Wales if you're obsessed with brisket and pulled pork
- The amazing woman behind the one-of-a-kind Chinese restaurant that had Jay Rayner thrilled
- Cocktail combos to chill out with more red-hot weather predicted
- Seven tips to pimp up a picnic
