Last night, celebrity Chef Tom Kerridge cut the ribbon at Marlow’s Higginson Park to signify the launch of food and music festival, Pub in the Park’s, 2024 season. 

The festival, founded by Tom Kerridge, boasts some of the UK’s best chef and music talent, celebrating good food, good music and good times in the UK’s biggest beer garden. 

Joined alongside special guests, Mary Berry and Rick Stein, the trio welcomed guests in to enjoy the launch event’s festivities, including special music performances from the likes of iconic bands Van Morrison and The Christians. Rick and Mary were later interviewed by Pub in the Park’s newly launched podcast, Pod in the Park, which is headed up by Chef Simon Rimmer.  

Guests mingled amongst VIP guests including James May, Ross Kemp, Sir Steve Redgrave, Shakin Stevens and Simon Rimmer as they perused Michelin starred pop-up restaurants and new additions to this year’s line up, including Angela Hartnett’s restaurant Cafe Murano alongside her Book Club, which is present for the first time ever at Pub in the Park Marlow. 

There was no shortage of great food, including that from Tom Kerridge’s own Two Michelin Star pub, The Hand & Flowers. Tom served up Nduja Sausage Rolls with Spanish cheese and mashed potato and Crispy Goan Cauliflower with chopped sour greens, as well as a special Pub Classic dish, Espelette Pepper Monkfish ‘A La Plancha’, served with pineapple salsa and soft tortilla. 

Alongside food and drink from pubs and restaurants across the UK, guests were invited to board a special Port & Cheese cruise on the Thames. Visitors could also stop off at event sponsor M&S’ Food Section where demos were being led by Chef Chris Mackett. Guests also had the chance to purchase an advance copy of Tom Kerridge’s latest book, and get it signed by him.  

The event will run across the whole weekend, with special guests Busted, Example and DJ Chris Moyles appearing on the Friday; Kimberly Wyatt, Boyzlife, Shola Ama and Vernon Kay on the Saturday afternoon; Ministry of Sound Classical, Judge Jules, General Levy and Mae Muller on the Saturday evening and Paloma Faith, Scouting for Girls, Rick Parfitt Jr and DJ Gok Wan on the Sunday afternoon. And it’s all for a good cause – this year alone, Pub in the Park has already raised over £60,000 for Tom Kerridge’s charity Meals from Marlow. 

Pub in the Park Marlow marks the launch of the full festival season, with events also taking place in London’s Chiswick between the 28^th – 30^th June, Reigate from 12^th – 14^th July and St Albans from 6^th– 8^th September. Chiswick will launch with a special All-Star Gala Evening on the 28^th June, in collaboration and support for The Multibank charity, and hosted by Dr Who star David Tenant and actress Georgia Tenant

To find out more visit: www.pubintheparkuk.com