TV chef Tom Kerridge excited to be bringing Pub in the Park festival to Warwick

Sat in the Warwick district’s very own Michelin-starred pub The Cross in Kenilworth, TV chef Tom Kerridge is excited to be bringing his Pub in the Park festival to Warwick.

In December it was announced that the festival would be heading to Warwick and Tom hopes that the local community will enjoy the event as much as others have in the past.

He said: “The first Pub in the Park was three years ago in Marlow as a one-off and it was such an amazing and fantastic event. We wanted to do it again and so we looked at other areas that have a similar sort of make up as Marlow; a lovely, proud community that’s got an interest in food, where people want to enjoy time out and spend time with family.

“Warwick is a beautiful part of the world and it’s got fantastic pubs and restaurants around and a great demographic of people. It’s (the festival) the sort of thing they would enjoy and be proud of having something like this going on in it.”

Among the renown chefs heading to Warwick, Adam Bennett, chef director at The Cross in Kenilworth, will also be joining the event.

Speaking about the festival Tom said: “There will be local representation from The Cross and fingers crossed hopefully more.

“If we just showed stuff from the area it doesn’t sprinkle a bit of stardust. The idea of people like Angela Hartnett coming to Warwick is really cool.

“Being in a local space makes it feel special rather than going to the centre of Birmingham or London to see these sort of food festivals. It’s great fun to bring these sorts of chefs to local areas – that’s the idea behind choosing places like Warwick.”

If this year’s event is a success Tom is hopeful that the town will become a regular location for the festival. He said: “I am so looking forward to coming to Warwick and Warwickshire is a beautiful part of the world. I love it very much and I have known it from a young age.

“At the same time I am looking forward to The Cross being there and showcasing what they do.

“I am looking forward to Warwick being part of the Pub in the Park gang and we would 100 per cent like to bring it back if this year is a success and if Warwick will have us back.”

Speaking about joining the festival, Adam Bennett said: “We can’t wait for the festival. We love this sort of stuff. You spend all your time in the kitchen and you don’t get to communicate with your mates and peers so these sort of things are fantastic for that.

“We’ve been here for five years and still talk to people who aren’t quite sure where we are or what we’re doing so it’s going to be a great event in that sense as well.

“I am from Coventry and where we (The Cross) are, it is like the eating quarter of Coventry.

“Anyone who is serious about food comes to Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick but to do something up front and centre in Warwick is great for us.”

Warwick’s Pub in the Park takes place from July 5 to July 7. Tickets go on pre-sale on January 31 and those who wish to buy tickets in the pre-sale need to have signed up to the newsletter to get access. General ticket sales will be on February 1.

For more information and to sign up to the pre-sale click here

The first music acts and restaurants for Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park festival in Warwick have been announced.

Tom’s restaurant The Hand & Flowers will be showcased and the man himself is set to appear.

Joining Tom will be Michelin-starred pub The Cross in Kenilworth. Adam Bennett, chef director, will be showcasing what The Cross has to offer at the event.

Other restaurants include: The Half Moon in Kirdford, owned by Jodie Kidd; The Hardwick in Abergavenny, owned by Stephen Terry; Cafe Murano in London, owned by Angela Hartnett; and Sindu in Marlow, owned by Atul Kochhar. Two restaurants are still to be confirmed.

The festival will also feature a line-up of around 15 music acts including: Tom Odell, Scouting For Girls, Will Young, Razorlight, Toploader, The Rifles, The Christians and Stereo MC’s.

The Pub in the Park team are also keen to hear from any local artists or bands that would like to be involved in the festival. Those interested should get in touch via Pub in Parks’ Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram.