02 Jun 2026
St Albans Foodies Festival welcomed record-breaking crowds to Oaklands College for an unforgettable weekend of food, music, entertainment and family fun, all set against a backdrop of glorious sunshine.
Thousands of visitors poured onto the Smallford campus from the moment the gates opened. With packed cooking theatres, bustling artisan markets, masterclasses and huge audiences across the stages, this year’s event was undoubtedly one of the biggest, most vibrant and successful in the St Albans summer calendar.
One of the standout moments of the weekend came when Boyzlife stars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden took to the stage before being joined by surprise guest Shane Lynch.
Fresh from Boyzone rehearsals ahead of their highly anticipated reunion concerts at Emirates Stadium this weekend, the trio sent the crowd into raptures with impromptu performances of the beloved classics ‘When The Going Gets Tough’ and ‘Love Me For A Reason’. The emotional singalongs created a truly magical festival moment that fans will be talking about for years to come.
The celebrity action continued in spectacular style on Sunday when Royal baker Mich Turner MBE welcomed Scouting For Girls frontman Roy Stride into the Cookery Theatre. Together they whipped up a delicious lemon roulade while entertaining a packed audience with stories, laughter and plenty of culinary surprises. The unique collaboration perfectly captured the spirit of Foodies Festival, where chart-topping music and world-class food combine to create an experience unlike any other.
Food lovers were also treated to a culinary masterclass from reigning MasterChef champion Harry Maguire, who joined MasterChef legend Dhruv Baker on stage. The pair drew big crowds eager to learn from two of the UK’s most celebrated culinary talents, delivering an inspiring and entertaining showcase of skill, creativity and passion.
From celebrity chefs and music legends to outstanding producers, award-winning street food, live music and interactive experiences, every corner of the festival buzzed with energy throughout the weekend.
Jo-Anna Sell, head of PR and marketing said: “This year’s event exceeded every expectation. Seeing record numbers of people enjoying the festival, singing along with iconic performers, discovering incredible food and seeing people create special memories with friends and family was simply amazing.
“The atmosphere all weekend was electric and there were so many unforgettable moments. We’d like to thank everyone who attended, exhibited, performed and supported the event. St Albans has given us a phenomenal weekend and we can’t wait to take that energy with us to our next stop on the tour.”
All photos by Craig Shepheard. Loads more in this week’s issue of the St Albans Times.
