Newport Food Festival to celebrate its 15th birthday

It’s one of the biggest annual events on the calendar for Newport, and thousands of people are expected to stream into the city centre on Saturday, October 3.

Last year, in 2025, footfall counters located around the city centre recorded 135,139 clicks.

On the Saturday alone, it’s estimated that up to 10,000 people were in the city centre every hour during the height of the food festival.

The boost to local businesses and traders is enormous.

Did you know the food festival is now celebrating its 15th birthday?

It was first launched under the stewardship of the last Conservative-led council along with Newport Unlimited.

In the run-up to the first food festival in 2011, the South Wales Argus published an article titled “Finest fare on offer at city food festival”.

The Argus reported:- "Newport is gearing up for its first food festival.

Newport Food Festival is to take place on October 29 (2011) attracting some of Wales' top chefs, as well as the best food providers from the region.

Focused around the Indoor Market and The Riverfront areas of the city, the event will feature local producers' stalls, chef demonstrations, music from local bands and family entertainment.

There will also be cookery workshops, and local schools and young people can take part in Minichef and Teenchef competitions.

(Then) Council leader Matthew Evans said: "We are proud to be holding Newport's first ever food festival and have every hope that it will prove a boost to the local economy.

"The festival will celebrate the huge variety of food on offer in the city, as well as raise awareness of local food producers and places to eat.

There will be something there for everyone to enjoy."

The (2011) festival kicks off on the evening of October 28, when 170 people will sample the culinary delights of food cooked by chefs from Gemelli Italian, The Bell Inn and the Waterloo Hotel and Bistro.

True Taste Gold award-winning chef Stephen Terry will give a demonstration and will be joined by Newport celebrity chef Hywel Jones, of Great British Menu fame, as well as Simon Wright and Norman Musa.

The idea was first mooted by regeneration firm Newport Unlimited in partnership with the council as part of wider proposals to make Newport the gastronomy capital of Wales.

This includes plans to open a food academy, training people in food and hospitality, improving the city's existing food premises, and enhancing Newport Market.

It is hoped it could emulate the success of the annual Abergavenny Food Festival, which has brought in at least £25 million and attracted 250,000 visitors since it began 13 years ago."

Michael Enea is a Conservative campaigner and blogger.