Come the final weekend in April, its smell will have them salivating from Marrocco’s to the West Pier. Yes, it’s the annual Foodies Festival on Hove Lawns.

This year’s line-up of foodie faces includes Great British Menu winner Matt Gillan, the Chilli Pickle’s Alun Sperring, Ollie Couillard from Sam’s, and SILO’s in-demand zero (waste) hero Douglas McMaster. But what else is new on the menu?

“There’ll be an expanded chilli-eating contest,” festival founder Sue Hitchen tells SOURCE. Every day at four o’clock on the main stage we have people tasting different strenghts of chilli, and last year’s winner will be challenging people from all around the country. We’re also launching Crunching in the Jungle, where people can sample Vietnamese street food such as caterpillars, mealworms, beetles, scorpions and ants.”

As well as the kitchen talent, the organisers like to promote local music. ” We work with Brighton Unsigned,” adds Sue. “To champion unsigned bands and give them a chance to play on our stage.” Check out the line-up here.

So how does Sue view Brighton in foodie terms? “I think it’s a really exciting place for food. And Brighton people are so receptive to different types of cuisine, but most of all they want to have fun; they’re just a real party crowd.”

Yes delicately put, Sue. We know exactly what you’re saying.

The Foodies Festival is on April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd on Hove Lawns. Day tickets are £14 (£38 for the VIP treatment) or it’s £20 for a three-day pass.

Competition time!
SOURCE has been given three pairs of tickets (one pair per winner), for the day of your choice, to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment on our Facebook post telling us the name of your favourite Brighton restaurant. To make sure we’ve got your contact details you also have be on the SOURCE mailing list to qualify (sign up here). This competition is now closed.

Words by Gary Rose