THE SEVEN SMALLER FOODIE FESTS I’M SUPPORTING
As we dive headfirst into festival season, both music and foodie wise, it’s easy to get tunnel vision for those that everyone has heard of, from Glastonbury and All Points East, to Pub in the Park and Taste of London.
With that in mind, I want to shine a light on some lesser known foodie festivals and events that I’m hoping to try out and think you should too, whether that be this year or next…
In the ever-expanding world of foodie fests, here are my seven to support:

- The Tacover
The Tacover launched last year and is the brainchild of foodie content creator @fat_boi_ldn (check out his feed for all things mouth-wateringly cheesy, meaty and packed with flavour). As the name implies, the festival, which is hosted at Walthamstow’s Signature Brew taproom, celebrates all things tacos.
I had the pleasure of going along last month and for an event only in its second year, it was highly impressive. From the array of vendors, serving much-loved classics like birria tacos to spicy chicken and chips creations from Taco Dave, tequila-based thirst quenchers and spicy taco eating contests (may or may have not taken part and blown my brains out), this is one to keep an eye on and i’d encourage all taco-lovers to follow on IG for updates ahead of next year.
2. Slice-O-Mania
Given my new found love for The Tacover, it only feels right to give a shoutout to Slice-O-Mania, which is launching this year and brings everything people love from The Tacover, but in pizza form (shout out again to @fat_boi_ldn).
Taking place on 15th & 16th July this year, tickets are now on sale and you can expect the cheesiest cheese pulls, adventurous toppings and of course, the ultimate classics.
3. Vegan Nights
For my plant-based and vegan-curious people out there – Vegan Nights is described as a ‘plant-based party’ and is a regular event that takes place at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, with 40+ food stalls and a nightclub.
You can expect a huge range of street food and desserts alongside drinks and live music, with the next event taking place on 13th July.
4. Black Eats Ldn
Black Eats LDN is home of the UK’s first and only Black-owned restaurant directory and up until October, is hosting ‘Black-owned Hackney’ events each month, at Bohemia Palace Markets. You can expect around 60 food & retail traders, which cater for halal, vegan, pescetarian and vegetarian, as well as providing the carnivorous goods.
The next event runs across 23rd – 25th June and you can sign up for free tickets here – win!
5. Tequila Fest
I can’t believe i’ve only just come across this one… but for my fellow lovers of tequila, tequila & mezcal fest will be taking place on 8th-9th September this year in Hackney Wick. The event launched in 2014 with the objective to educate about the finest Mexican spirits and that’s exactly what you’ll find there, alongside a load of Mexican brands and street food vendors.
6. Hot Sauce Society
As a huge advocate for hot sauce, I’m gutted that I missed London’s hot sauce festival last month. Like a few of the others, this one does what it says on the tin – it’s a festival where spice lovers can sample a whole load of hot sauces and take part in activities like ‘chilli karaoke’, listening to live music and of course, getting stuck into the multiple bars and food suppliers that I imagine will have their own spicy twist on the menu (i’m expecting spicy margs and chilli beers).
I’ll be turning their IG notifications on to make sure I don’t miss the next one, if you’re a fan of hot sauce you can follow them here.
7. London Wing Fest
I’m literally salivating as I write this and if the thought of sauce-doused wings does the same to you, you’ve got to get yourself down to London Wing Fest in July.
Described as ‘the worlds largest chicken wing festival’, it promises to showcase the best chicken wings the UK has to offer and predicts that a huge 200,000 wings will be served by a combination of 40 different street food traders, restaurants and bbq teams. Sponsors include Jameson & Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue sauce. If my visions of whiskey glazed bbq wings come true, I’ll be a very happy customer.