Pick up handy food tips and support important charities at the Market Halls Live festival.
The bank holiday weekend is upon us, and whilst the lack of beer gardens and escapes to the countryside might raise the prospect of a slow weekend, one of London’s favourite food markets is riding to the rescue. Market Halls, beloved for their Victoria and Fulham food markets, along with the UK’s biggest one on Oxford Street, are launching an online festival this weekend. It’ll chock full of brilliant entertainment, and will work to support three vital charities; you can find your tickets here.
Market Halls Live, as the festival is known, promises to bring fun and positivity to your weekend, whilst also working to support food traders, industry partners, and community members affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Three days of fun, running from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May, will include wellness sessions, food and drink masterclasses, and acoustic gigs. For instance, Saturday sees the arrival of a kids party with entertainers Sharky & George, a food photography masterclass with Lucky Pilgrim, and Grey Goose teaching you to create espresso martinis at home.
Sunday sessions include food wisdom from Angelo Sato, who’ll be creating chicken katsu sandos, and Tom Griffiths of Flank, who’s showing punters how to whip up a McDonald’s breakfast to cure even the most savage of hangovers – along with beer tasting, arts and crafts, and gin masterclasses. Finally, you can enjoy an acoustic set from Lloyd Llewellyn, a virtual wine hour, and a roti-making class from The Roti King on Monday – a fine way to round off the week!
Bank holidays usually see a windfall for restaurants, bars, and pubs – but with the lockdown preventing these establishments from reopening this spring bank holiday, Market Halls Live is on hand valuable support. Especially as profits from the festival are going to be split between a trio of brilliant charities, each of which does wonderful work. The Felix Project donates surplus food from restaurants to charities and schools, Hospitality Action helps hospitality workers back on their feet, and Hospro focus on promoting good mental health in the food and hospitality industry. And just by choosing to take part in the festival, you’ll be helping to support them. Good on you!