One of the region's most cherished culinary traditions is set for a spectacular revival, emerging with a new name and a bold vision for the future. After an illustrious twenty-five-year history, the iconic Taste Cheshire Food & Drink Festival based in Chester has been officially rebranded as the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.
A New Chapter Under Fresh Leadership
The festival's future has been secured by a dynamic local partnership. Prominent hotelier Steven Hesketh, who manages the Chester Townhouse and Hotel Wrexham, has teamed up with Katie Isaacson, owner of CoolBreeze Events. The duo stepped in to rescue the event from potential closure, ensuring this cornerstone Easter celebration continues to define the city's cultural calendar.
An Expanded and Immersive Experience for 2026
The 2026 edition, scheduled for the full Easter weekend from Good Friday, April 3rd, to Easter Sunday, April 5th, promises to be the most engaging yet. Visitors to Chester Racecourse can anticipate a significantly enhanced programme featuring:
- A dedicated live music stage
- A specially designed children's activity zone
- The return of popular on-site camping facilities
- A comprehensive site redesign to improve flow for traders and guests
This transformation aims to turn the festival into a complete weekend getaway, building on the team's proven experience from organising Devafest.
Preserving a Vital Local Tradition
Steven Hesketh expressed his commitment to preserving the event's legacy, stating: "Chester at Easter without the food and drink festival isn't Chester. It's one of those traditions that quietly becomes part of the city's identity. You don't realise how much it matters until someone tries to switch it off."
Katie Isaacson echoed this sentiment, emphasising the festival's core mission: "We're really looking forward to bringing our own personality to it, while keeping the heart of it exactly where it belongs: supporting local producers, celebrating brilliant hospitality, and delivering a weekend that still feels like a proper Easter tradition for everyone."
A Seamless Handover and Future Focus
The outgoing management team from Taste Cheshire will provide consultancy throughout the 2026 transition to ensure continuity. Tori Hayes of Taste Cheshire commented: "We are delighted to hand the reins to Steven and Katie. They are a fantastic, professional team we've worked with for years, and we know they will do an amazing job."
The organisers are currently prioritising trade applications from regional producers to maintain the event's authentic local character. Trader applications are now open via the festival's new website, with general admission tickets scheduled for public release on February 1st.
