Charter a private jet to British Food Fortnight

Held at harvest time, this flavoursome festival encourages communities to celebrate British where visitors can enjoy celebrity guests, home-cooked dishes and bountiful British produce from 22 September to 7 October 2018. Take a look at our list of the best foodie celebrations on this year's calendar before booking a private jet charter to get involved in all the action.

Celebrate British food at the top food festivals

Each year, a panel of high-profile judges awards a prize to the best foodie celebration. Judges are seeking the most imaginative and inclusive event in the country. Last year’s panel featured Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc; beauty, nutrition and wellbeing entrepreneur Liz Earle; and the Telegraph's emeritus editor Ian MacGregor. Here are a few of the top festivals to look out for:

England

Ginger and Spice Fest, Shropshire

26-29 September 2018

This spicy celebration was the winner of the 2017 British Food Fortnight competition. Held in Market Drayton, the Ginger and Spice Fest celebrates the county’s long culinary heritage. Visitors can taste spicy pies, jams, ginger teas, gin, local ales and gourmet beef and learn more about the region’s rich history – Shropshire was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and is home to two World Heritage Sites.

Guests can attend masterclasses led by experts, such as a gingerbread class with local baker Jana Jacobson and a cooking demo by Raymond Blanc’s son Olivier Blanc; or join a foraging walk led by local chef James Sherwin and medical herbalist Bee McGovern. Charter a private jet to Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport to land just miles from the festivities.

Thame Food Festival, Oxfordshire

26-29 September 2018

The Thame Food Festival is one of Britain’s top food festivals and features a multitude of stalls selling English food and home-cooked dishes. The star attraction is the all-star line-up of chefs leading cooking demonstrations – this year's invited guests include celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, Great British Bake Off's Martha Collison and former Bake Off winner Candice Brown with her Dancing on Ice partner Matt Evers.

Visitors can charter a private jet to nearby Wycombe Air Park for easy access to the festival. While in town, take your foodie experience to the next level with a stay at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, which is helmed by Raymond Blanc and boasts a two Michelin Star restaurant and a world-class cooking school where guests can sharpen their culinary skills.

Manchester Food and Drink Festival

27 September - 8 October 2018

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival has been shining a spotlight on local cuisine since 1998, taking over Albert Square with a food and drink village for guests to explore. A new Dining Dome will be unveiled at this year’s event, designed to hold banquets, supper clubs and more exclusive experiences. Outside, dozens of street food stalls will be set up to serve delicious English food. The Festival Bar serves brews from Manchester’s best breweries, while live music sets the scene.

One of the highlights of this year's festival is an appearance by wellness guru Jasmine Hemsley, who’s teaming up with Trove Supper Club to host a VIP Ayurvedic dinner event on 29 September. Another can’t-miss event is a Champagne and caviar tasting with seafood restaurant Randall & Aubin and The Gourmet Caviar House on 2 October. Tickets to special events are available here. Charter a private jet to Manchester Airport to land just 14km from Albert Square.

Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, Suffolk

29-30 September 2018

Set in scenic Snape Maltings on the River Alde, the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is a star-studded celebration of English cuisine. The festival features demonstrations for both kids and adults from top names like Tommi Miers, winner of MasterChef and founder of the Wahaca group of Mexican restaurants, and Dan Doherty, a judge on Britain's Best Home Cook.

Of course, there's eating to be done, too. Each year, the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival offers an excellent pop-up restaurant serving delicious three-course meals made with local ingredients. The closest airport is Crowfield Airfield, located just 40km away.

Wales

Fungi Foray, Powys

8 September - 14 October 2018

Fungi Foray is a celebration of the incredible variety of edible mushrooms, truffles and other fungi that thrives in the idyllic Welsh landscape. Every Saturday and Sunday between 8 September and 14 October, aspiring fungi finders will meet in the small village of Abbey-Cwm-Hir at 10am for a three-hour adventure into the woods, where a spectacular selection of edible fungi awaits. Afterwards, guests are treated to a wild mushroom-based meal in a faithfully restored Welsh longhouse, where they will take part in a workshop on mushroom tasting and preserving.

Fungi Foray is open to mushroom enthusiasts of all ages, and you’re free to bring your canine companion along if he or she has a nose for truffles. Don’t miss out on this spectacular weekend, which includes all the above for a mere £70.

Mold Food Festival, Flintshire

15-16 September 2018

The celebrated Mold Food Festival returns for its 13th year on 15 September, bringing together the best exhibitors, cookery theatres, produce and leading names in Wales’ culinary world. Highlights include a much-loved children’s cookery school, which will keep your little ones entertained for hours on end; and an as-yet-unconfirmed lineup of some of the best chefs in Wales and the rest of Great Britain. Don’t miss out on northern Wales’ most anticipated culinary event.

Northern Ireland

Causeway Coast Foodie Tours

8 August 2018 onwards

The Causeway Coast Foodie Tours encompass a range of the best culinary events in Northern Ireland. Guests can look forward to a hand-picked selection of some of the best chefs and artisan producers the region has to offer, and each trip includes exclusive tasting sessions and behind-the-scenes access for casual foodies and culinary obsessives alike.

The Causeway Coast tours are an exclusive affair, so get in touch with the organisers directly via email or call on +44 (0) 7912 408 256 to enquire and make a booking.

Scotland

Cupar’s Farmers Market, Fife

15 September - 20 October 2018

Located between Dundee and Glenrothes, the small town of Cupar has a rich history of markets and fine local produce. Historically, Cupar is a market town, and has stuck to its tradition of holding a farmers market on the third Saturday of every month. Guests can look forward to a diverse spread of more than 30 artisan food stalls in the heart of this quaint country town and a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years. Expect the Cupar market to pull out all the stops during British Food Fortnight. Get there early, as this is a very busy and popular event on the British culinary calendar.

Fly to British Food Fortnight by private jet charter

Looking to experience this year’s British Food Fortnight in style and luxury? Contact us to book a private jet charter to the best foodie festivals taking place across Britain.