Bumper food festival returns to banks of the Wear with expert wine sommeliers and more

Returning to the Riverside cricket ground in Chester-le-Street, Chester-le-EATS is back for its fifth anniversary celebrations - and it’s promising to be the biggest yet.

The dates for this year have been announced as Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2026 with a host of food and drink stalls, live music and more.

New for this year is exclusive, bookable masterclasses hosted in Durham Cricket’s executive boxes.

These intimate tasting sessions will give festivalgoers the chance to get up close with some of the region’s leading food and drink experts, offering fun, hands-on experiences that celebrate great local produce, flavours and craftsmanship.

Durham City’s Crush Wine Bar, owned by Daniel Jonberger - one of the region’s expert wine sommeliers - will present Uncorked – A Wine & Food Tasting Experience.

Guests will be guided by through four specially selected wines, each paired with small plates designed to complement - and even transform - the flavour of every pour.

For chicken wings fans, Newcastle-based Hen & Hops will be hosting a beer and wing masterclass hosted by business co-owner, Ally Chambers.

The popular, independent restaurant specialises in chicken wings as well as producing their own sauces and marinades.

Guests will get to sample eight premium chicken wings marinated in Hen & Hops’ signature sauces, with five locally sourced beers and ale tastings.

Gin enthusiasts can also raise a glass during ‘Distilled’, a masterclass hosted by the Ginologists at Tin of Sardines, based in both Durham City as well as Roker, Sunderland.

The masterclass will feature four speciality gins, which guests will learn about, and how to expertly pair them with mixers and garnishes.

Those who book onto this class will also get a Tin’s signature cheese and charcuterie board, shared between two guests.

The masterclasses will run each day during Chester-le-EATS. Each at 12noon; 1.45pm and 3.30pm and all are priced at £35 per person.

Ythan Sale, Durham Cricket’s Events Manager, said:“Reaching our fifth year is a huge milestone for Chester-le-EATS and we wanted to celebrate in a big way. The event has grown year-on-year and the support from the local community has been incredible.

“The new masterclasses give people the chance to experience Chester-le-EATS in a completely different way - whether that’s discovering new tastes, learning more about wine, or enjoying expertly matched gins with friends.

“We’re really excited to bring something fresh and fun to the festival while still keeping everything people already know and love about the weekend.”

Chester-le-EATS 2026 will remain free to enter. The festival is also dog-friendly.

However, tickets for the masterclasses must be prebooked by contacting the events team on 0191 387 2876 or [email protected].