St James’s is set to host the first-ever St James’s Food Fair on Saturday 16th May, transforming St James’s Market – already home to some of the capital’s most celebrated restaurants – into a vibrant, family-friendly celebration for food lovers. The Food Fair brings together some of London’s most exciting chefs, restaurants, producers and purpose-led brands, and the inaugural edition will feature a curated mix of stalls, tastings, chef-led demonstrations and live entertainment, celebrating the very best in food, drink and seasonal produce. Taking place from 12pm–7pm, just moments from Piccadilly Circus, it marks a major new addition to this year’s Future of Food Festival from Regent Street and St James’s.
Visitors can purchase dishes from some of St James’s most-loved restaurants, including BBQ specials such as chicken skewers and beef rendang from authentic Indonesian restaurant, Toba, alongside Sael’s elevated take on British classics with its ‘Sael Fish & Chips’ and Marmite English custard tart. FOWL will serve crowd-pleasing favourites including chicken salt fries and signature wings, while innovation-led Scully will offer bold, globally inspired plates such as spiced cornbread with eggplant sambal and coconut labneh, and roast pork belly with sweet and sour pineapple.
Also joining the line up, Paxton & Whitfield, one of England’s oldest cheesemongers, will present curated sustainable cheese plates, while Central Asian restaurant Oshpaz will serve freshly made dumplings with beef, chicken and vegan options. All-day bakery Ole & Steen will have seasonal open sandwiches on the menu, and Bija will offer Indonesian cake and coffee bundles. Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill will also be serving a seafood-focused menu, celebrating the very best in high-quality, seasonal British produce.
For visitors enjoying their food, the Fair will feature live music throughout the day, with a four-piece band on hand to provide an upbeat soundtrack to accompany the delicious dishes. Visitors can also take part in interactive experiences, including ‘Grow the Future’ hosted by The Barefoot Planter, offering families and visitors of all ages the chance to get hands-on and learn more about sustainable growing.
Alongside the restaurants, a carefully curated selection of independent producers and purpose-led brands will offer tastings and products to explore and purchase. Highlights include premium bottled cocktails from Lockdown Liquor Co., honey tastings from Highgate Honey and Bugvita insect snacks from the UK Edible Insect Association. Guests can also discover foraged ingredients and educational displays from foraging experts Wild Food UK, as well as herbal teas and wellness blends from The Herbtender.
Further pop-ups will add to the vibrant market atmosphere, with fresh flowers from Willow and Maw and charcuterie boxes from Grape & Fig available to buy, while Brityard will serve ice cream from an Araw ice cream bike.
Nearby, a series of ticketed masterclasses will take place at the SMEG flagship store, offering opportunities to learn more about the future of food and the innovators behind it. Sessions include oyster shucking with Bentley’s and foraging workshops with Wild Food UK, with tickets available to purchase for just £5.
Karen Baines, Marketing Director at The Crown Estate, says of the event: “The launch of our first ever St James’s Food Fair marks an exciting new chapter for Future of Food Festival. We wanted to create a free, family-friendly event that brings people together and celebrates the incredible sense of community that exists across St James’s, while spotlighting the restaurants, producers and innovators that make the neighbourhood so distinctive. From live music and hands-on activities to incredible dishes and tastings, the Food Fair offers something for everyone celebrating the creativity and sustainability shaping the future of food.”
To find out more about the St James’s Food Fair and the wider Future of Food Festival visit: https://www.stjameslondon.co.uk/sjm-food-fair.
