Food & Drink Festival 2025 : Interview with Rosemary Shrager

Get ready for a feast of flavors at the vibrant Festival of Food & Drink, bursting with mouth-watering delights from top artisan producers, award-winning treats, and a lineup of special guest TV chefs ready to wow your taste buds. Set against the stunning backdrop of Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire, this event brings together some of the UK’s finest food and drink stars, serving up a world of delicious dishes from every corner of the globe. Dive into the festival vibe with fantastic Street Food ‘Pop Up’ cafés and lively bars, where every bite is an adventure and every sip a celebration.

Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for the next big flavor, a fan of fabulous craftsmanship, or just in it for the fun, the Festival of Food & Drink was the ultimate taste explosion – the biggest and most delicious show in the East Midlands. Come hungry, leave happy!

One of the fine food and drink stars stepping into the spotlight at the festival is TV chef and personality Rosemary Shrager. Back by popular demand for another year, Shrager will be making her grand appearance on Saturday, 20th September, bringing cookery to life on the live theatre stage. Ahead of the festival, we were able to secure an exclusive interview with Rosemary about the wide world of the food industry.

A sit down with Rosemary Shrager:

1. Your cooking style blends tradition with flair. How do you keep reinventing classic British dishes for a modern audience

"I think alot of it is down to making things simpler. But also presentation is key. Things are slightly simpler today with much less fuss. This is a great time to be bring back old classics but in a more modern way"

2. You’ve taught cooking on television and in person - what's the biggest mistake home cooks make that you wish they wouldn’t?

"People don't read the recipe through properly! I think the most important thing is to read the recipe through twice before they begin. People always need to find the end result before they begin so you can have the vision in your head."

3. You’re known for your energy and passion in the kitchen - what continues to drive your enthusiasm?

"All the exciting new young chefs. Food is always in the developing stage. You're always moving forward with design and trends and food and ingredients and techniques."

4. You’ve worked in everything from top restaurants to television to food festivals - what’s your favourite culinary setting and why?

"I love food festivals. I love demonstrating. I love performing on stage! I should have been an actress!"

5. For someone attending this festival who’s just getting into cooking, what’s one dish you’d recommend they master first - and why?

"I think it's important to understand the fundamentals, sauce bases, basic recipes. Once you have the mother of recipes, you can do almost everything. It's important to get basic techniques up their sleeve.  Basics of making breads, pastries, sauces for example"

6. How important is local sourcing to you—and do you tailor your recipes based on regional produce when you travel to places like Nottingham?

"Local sourcing is very important. I also look at things as more seasonal too - when you get the freshest and best ingredients. Although buying local is great, seasonal is just as important"

7. Nottinghamshire has rich farmland and produce like Bramley apples,  and Stilton cheese. Do any local ingredients inspire you or spark new ideas

"There is nothing better than a Bramley Apple Crumble! But I always look at how I can use local produce to get a brilliant recipe"

8. Nottingham has a deep connection to folklore, especially with Robin Hood. If you were to create a medieval banquet inspired by Sherwood Forest, what would be on the menu?

"Wild mushroom and venison pie and of course a Bramley Apple pie for dessert. Double pie!!"

This event is open to all, with tickets now on sale. There are student discounts, family packages, and individual tickets for each day available to purchase direcly from the Festival of Food & Drink Website. 

Be sure to check out  the  incredible competition to 'WIN a Luxury Foodie Family Weekend at the Festival of Food & Drink 2025 – with a 3-Night Stay at the Welbeck Estate'. It's the perfect way to not only experience the wonderful festival but get a chance to spend some time throughout the rest of Nottingham/ Nottinghamshire. The competition is open til the 21st August so be sure to not miss out and get your entries in as early as possible.