What’s Cooking in Penzance? Food Festival Returns with Fire, Flavour and Festive Vibes

Published On: 13 May 2025Last Updated: 13 May 2025By CornishStuff

End-of-summer celebration back at Penlee Park this September

Penzance Food Festival is returning to Penlee Park from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September 2025, promising another lively weekend of Cornish food, music and community spirit – and entry is completely free.

Following its successful debut in 2024, the event has already earned its place on Cornwall’s cultural calendar. Timed with the autumn equinox, it’s pitched as a farewell to summer and an invitation to enjoy West Cornwall outside the peak season.

What’s New for 2025?

This year’s festival introduces a fiery new feature: live fire cooking, thanks to a partnership with barbecue brand Kamado Joe. Expect smoky, flame-filled demos and bold flavours from the Taste Theatre, adding extra heat to the already-packed programme.

A Celebration of Cornish Values

The festival shines a spotlight on the rich food culture of the rural West Cornwall peninsula, highlighting small producers, talented chefs and Newlyn’s sustainable fishing industry. Staying true to its local roots, only a handful of the 50 traders come from beyond the Cornish border.

Sustainability is front and centre again in 2025, with the team working alongside Sustainable Penzance and Plastic Free Penzance to create a completely single-use plastic-free site.

Organiser Barney Farnworth said of last year’s event:

“We are so proud of how it all came together. The site was a dream – each corner held its own vibe, from the first coffees to the last encore.”

What to Expect This Year

Across the three days, visitors can enjoy:

Expanded Producer Market: With everything from British canned fish and English wines to single origin chocolate, medicinal mushrooms and even elephant garlic.
Street Food Village: A mix of returning favourites and exciting new traders from Penzance and beyond.
Taste Theatre: Chef demos, BBQ displays and panel talks with local food leaders.
Live Music: Relaxed daytime sets and upbeat evening performances under the trees.
Wellness Area: Calming sessions designed to nourish body and mind.
Long-Table Feasts: Sit-down dining experiences with specially crafted menus.

Organiser Oona Burch added:

“The amazing feedback from last year gave us such energy put into the planning of this year’s event – we’ve worked hard to evolve without losing what made it feel so special.”

Local Backing and Bigger Plans

There’s strong community support again this year. Sarah Shaw, BID Manager, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome the Penzance Food Festival back to Penlee Park. The team is making it even better–more food, more fun, and a wet weather plan, just in case!”

Public feedback has helped shape this year’s set-up, with more stalls, more seating and improved shelter areas now included.