PX+ Hospitality Festival 2018: A celebration of culinary creativity

A revolutionary new hospitality festival is coming to the UK this August, providing a summer sounding board for world-class chefs, bartenders and front of house professionals. The four-day event, held at Duchess farms in Sawbridgeworth – home to Duchess Oil – will give those in the industry a chance to collaborate, share ideas, discuss new and exciting developments and celebrate in style.

Among those in attendance are renowned chefs Clare Smyth, Andrew Wong, Greg Marchand, Dan Doherty, Martin Morales, Gary Usher, Jackson Boxer, Cary Docherty, Carl Clarke, Jonny Bone, Steven Ellis, Maria Elia – though there will be over 150 headliners in total. Guests can expect to fill their minds as well as their mouths, with plenty of food for thought, dynamic workshops and, of course, delicious dishes. PX+ prides itself on its aptly “hospitable pricing” on all food, drink and retail, as well as the sustainability which underlies all elements of the festival.

The weekend event will have many areas to enjoy, such as the central courtyard, hosting the live kitchen, open larder, demonstrations of cooking over fire from London Log Co. and many more collaborations. A 60-cover restaurant with a communal table stretching out over the horizon will host different chefs each evening with a full food and drink tasting menu from chefs such as Lars Lundo and Greg Marchand. During the day the long table will showcase bread and grains as well as talks from experts in the field. A mobile “resto” which covers 20 will also showcase a menu which changes nightly, allowing guests to hop on and off and enjoy smaller plates, wine and cocktails. To satiate the sweet tooth, rising pastry chef Andrew Sutton has also created a 16-cover dessert bar which will preview at the festival,  coupling strange flavours to cater to all of the senses.

Drinks-wise, there will be a wine tent hosted by Jennifer Docherty MW, who will bring a hand-picked list of sustainably produced wines with all profits going to Vauxhall Foodbank and Hestia. Trash Tiki bars will also be supplying innovative cocktails alongside a variety of supporting bars, while Two Tribes beer challenges drinkers by providing a unique tasting experience courtesy of their groundbreaking brewhouse.

The Let’s Talk About It barn will present panel discussions and talks, providing a space for the top culinary creatives to share their experiences of getting to where they are today. The speakers range from all across the hospitality industry, including top names such Alessandro Porcelli of Cook It Raw, Ian Scaramuzza of In Situ, Jan Seymour of the Beyond Food Foundation and Catherine and Gavin Hanly of Hot Dinners.

On top of this, a secret music venue will showcase a range of emerging talent from unsigned artists Harry Marshall and Nuala to guest DJs, and the Bored as F**k tent will be open after hours with a roster of surprise speakers. The Makers Shop, hosted by My Hungry Valentine, will house selected artists and artisans from ceramicists to knife forgers, giving visitors a taste of the additional elements which are just as important in shaping a restaurant’s image and reputation. It will also host a selection of beautiful books and independent magazines. And if this wasn’t enough entertainment, The R&R tent will offer exercise, yoga, meditation and a nap area for a complete rest and rejuvenation. 

Tickets are for the full weekend and include daily breakfast and unlimited coffee, access to all talks, a pitch for camping and camping facilities throughout. 

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PX+ Hospitality Festival 2018 is at Duchess Farm Sheering Lower Road Sawbridgeworth CM21 9LE from 24^th until 27^th August 2018. For further information or to book visit their website here.