Taste Cumbria 2021
Maryport
Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 August 2021
Cockermouth
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 September 2021
Cockermouth Christmas
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 December 2021
Three festivals, two towns – Taste Cumbria is back!
Foodie heaven is returning to Cumbria. Planning for the Taste Cumbria festivals is well underway – and we cannot wait to welcome you to discover all this culinary loveliness.
As well as the flagship event in Cockermouth and the gorgeous Christmas market, you can enjoy a new tasty treat – Taste of the Sea in Maryport.
The events will have everything you’ve come to expect from Taste Cumbria – big producers’ markets, expert demonstrations, beer tents, hot food courts, children’s entertainment, live music, comedy and more.
Watch this space for more information. We’ll be making more announcements soon.
Do you have a food business? Click here for stall bookings in Maryport and follow this link if you are interested in a space in Cockermouth.
Why not make a weekend of it? If you’re travelling over to West Cumbria, you could explore the rest of the area too. Great beaches, high and low fells, beautiful lakes and the prettiest towns and villages – Allerdale has it all…
Laughter on the menu at new Maryport comedy night
Tickets are on sale now for a comedy night in Maryport – and you need to book quickly as numbers are limited.
The new Taste of the Sea food event comes to the town next month and the weekend’s fun will include a night of laughs at The Wave Centre on Saturday 14 August. The festival itself takes place across town on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August with a producers’ market, expert demonstrations, a hot food court, beer tent and loads of family entertainment. The comedy nights at the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth are always sell-out events so guests are urged to book quickly to be sure of a seat. Initially, just 50 tickets are going on sale to make sure comedy fans are comfortable and covid safe. More tickets will be released as restrictions allow. The Taste of the Sea event is a new addition to the calendar of Taste Cumbria festivals. It is organised by Allerdale Borough Council and is supported by Maryport Town Council.
Andy White, Jon Capewell and Raymond Mearns will appear at the inaugural comedy night, alongside compere Mike Wilkinson. Mike has supported the likes of Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas and Ross Noble, as well as headlining clubs all over the country. Mike has a laid-back style on stage, but can crush a heckler in seconds.
Raymond started doing stand up comedy in 1994 and has performed regularly internationally where he is noted for his ability to deliver sharp observational material combined with lightning quick improvisation. The Metro called him ‘a genuinely charismatic and funny entertainer’ and ‘a voice of the people’. Andy is an energetic, confident Brummie who combines silly voices and a mad afro to devastating comic effect. Andy has numerous media appearances, including the BBC New Comedy Awards on BBC Choice and his winning performance on the Weakest Link comedian’s special. Whats On Magazine said he ‘oozes talent’. Scouser Jon has appeared at the Comedy Store, is a regular in Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club, and tours the UK comedy circuit at the likes of Manford’s Comedy Club nights. Described as ‘quick witted and engaging’, he’s likely to bring his love of football to Cumbria – he’s a Red, for the record.
Councillor Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale Borough Council, said: “We are very grateful for financial support from Maryport Town Council for what is shaping up to be a great new event for West Cumbria. The comedy nights at our Cockermouth festivals are hugely popular so we know that visitors will be keen to book a ticket. It’s been a tough time for so many people and I think a great night out and a few laughs will be just the tonic we need.”
The comedy night takes place at The Wave Centre in Maryport on Saturday 14 August from 7pm. This event will be ticketed and follow any covid-safe restrictions.
Andy White
Raymomd Mearns
Mike Wilkinson
Andy White
Raymomd Mearns
Mike Wilkinson
Cooking up a treat in Maryport
A host of culinary experts will be sharing their skills at the Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport. From fish and seafood to cakes and chutney, there will be flavours for everyone on the Vici Demo Truck throughout both days of the Taste Cumbria event, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August.
The demonstration stage has been provided by Maryport-based seafood specialist Vici, which set up its UK base in the town seven years ago. They will be showing off some of their own products, not least their seafood sticks – they’re the world’s biggest producer of these, selling 8,000 tonnes of them every year in the UK. The Vici team will also be pushing the sustainable seafood and shop local messages.
Managing director Paul Agnew said: “Maryport is our home town so it would be daft for us not to get involved in the Taste of the Sea festival. It’s all about being part of the community. “We’ll be making gyoza, our Japanese dumplings, and I have a recipe using our seafood sticks. They’re Syn-free and high in protein – it’s like sushi made easy! Local legend, chef Jon Fell, of The Peddler in Whitehaven, will also be joining us.”
Other personalities on the Vici Demo Truck will include chef John Crouch who is working with Cumbria Wildlife Trust on some sustainable recipe ideas – he’s a fan of spices, something that’s very appropriate for a port town.
Two other Maryport business will also be represented – Wild and Fruitful preserves and their chef Jake Winter, and Debbie Wright, the creator of Her Citi café. Coming from further afield are Sue Cliff and Helen Walker of Cockermouth Country Market who will be revealing the recipes for some of the monthly market’s favourites.
The Taste of the Sea festival and the flagship Taste Cumbria events in Cockermouth are organised by Allerdale Borough Council. For more details visit www.tastecumbria.com
The full Vici Demo Truck line-up:
Saturday
11am – 11:30 – Jake Winter, Wild and Fruitful Preserves, handmade in Cumbria
1pm – 1:30pm – Vici specialist seafood of Maryport with Jon Fell of The Peddler, Whitehaven
2pm – 2:30pm – Sue Cliff & Helen Walker, Cockermouth Country Market
2:30pm – 3pm – Vici specialist seafood of Maryport
3pm – 3:30pm – John Crouch , Cumbria Wildlife Trust
4pm – 4:30pm – Debbie Wright, Her Citi boutique café, Maryport
Sunday
1pm – 1:30pm – Vici specialist seafood of Maryport with Jon Fell of The Peddler, Whitehaven
2pm – 2:30pm – John Crouch, Cumbria Wildlife Trust
3pm – 3:30pm – Jake Winter, Wild and Fruitful Preserves, handmade in Cumbria
Paul Agnew
Jon Fell
Getting here
The nearest mainline train station is Penrith the Lake District. Connecting buses take about an hour to transport you to West Cumbria. Alternatively, arrive via Carlisle Railway Station, then take the train to Maryport. If you are travelling by car, leave the M6 at junction 40, take the A66 west and you will be here in 40 minutes.
Parking
If you’re coming to our festivals by car, here’s a handy link to some of the car parks in Cockermouth & Maryport. If you’re parking on the street, please check local signs for restrictions. You’ll need a timing disc for many of them – these are available from many local businesses.
Accommodation
Make a weekend of it by booking some accommodation. Allerdale has an excellent range of accommodation from hotels, campsites and B&Bs to self catering. And don’t forget to visit the wealth of independent shops in Maryport and Cockermouth. There are some great businesses to explore.
Book tickets
Most of the attractions at the Taste Cumbria festivals are free to enjoy. A small number of events are ticketed and we’re keeping a close check on coronavirus restrictions to ensure these are planned in line with the very latest guidelines. Keep up to date on Facebook.
Insider information
