Last weekend, The Pantiles was abuzz with the vibrant atmosphere of Sankey’s Spring Food Festival.

With over 500 products and flavours from over 30 local and national producers. From Spanish paella to Indian curries and Italian pizzas to more-ish Mexican dishes – there was enough mouth-watering food to suit all palates. The highly anticipated event drew in crowds from near and far, as they were treated to a culinary extravaganza, complete with special guest chefs, live music and entertainment for the whole family.

A festival of flavour

Gastronomic delights were demonstrated and cooked on-site by local restaurateurs and chefs. Cooking demos took place on the iconic bandstand with its newly acquired kitchen unit, supplied by Great British Kitchens & Interiors – a company that have been creating beautiful bespoke furniture since 1984.

The demonstrators included Bobby Brown, Rachel Phipps, Adam Shaw, Mark Charker, James Hollister, Mark O’Brien, Anna Stanford, Natalie Seldon, Scott Goss and Steve Anderson.

The perfect hosts

Sankey’s, the sponsor and host of Spring Food Festival, has long been renowned for its expertise in fine cuisine. With a restaurant at The Old Fishmarket, Kitchen and Bar at Mount Ephraim and specialised fishmongers, they were the ideal choice to curate this gastronomic event.

Throughout the weekend, Sankey’s chefs cooked up a storm, tantalising taste buds with their culinary creations. One of the highlights was their delicious paella, prepared with locally sourced produce. This dish showcased the team’s skill and dedication to providing exceptional flavours to festival-goers.

A seafood lover’s paradise

Nestled in the heart of The Pantiles, Sankey’s Old Fishmarket is a jewel in the town’s crown. Boasting an exclusive champagne and seafood bar, the restaurant offers a luxurious space where visitors can indulge in the finest British fish and shellfish while sipping on a wide selection of alcoholic drinks from around the world.

Specializing in oysters and shellfish, Sankey’s takes pride in sourcing the best seafood available. Their menu features a variety of oysters originating from renowned locations such as Carlingford, Colchester, Lindisfard and The Dutchy of Cornwall, ensuring a diverse and exquisite selection for seafood enthusiasts.

A successful weekend

Whether it was savouring freshly shucked oysters, indulging in a flavourful paella, or enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and music – visitors left Sankey’s Spring Food Festival with unforgettable memories and taste buds thoroughly satisfied. As asset managers and owners of The Upper Pantiles, the team at Targetfollow Estates Limited recognise the importance of hosting events that enhance the appeal and value of our properties. The Spring Food Festival, sponsored and hosted by Sankey’s, brought a wave of positive energy and footfall to The Pantiles, solidifying its reputation as a vibrant and thriving destination.

Creating memorable experiences and forging strong partnerships contribute significantly to the long-term success and appreciation of our assets. This is why we work closely with Cordis Creative; a full-service marketing agency responsible for our events – from conceptualisation to implementation and promotion.

Jason Vickers, Head of Marketing & Events at Cordis Creative – organisers of the festival – said: “The weekend was incredible. The turnout was fantastic, I’ve never seen so many people at The Pantiles before! The weather was on our side and the historic streets were a hive of activity and delicious smells. With over 12,000 people visiting the site over the two days, double the amount of last year, it is the most successful food festival we’ve hosted at The Pantiles to date. We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to such a great weekend: Great British Kitchens & Interiors for our stunning Demo Kitchen, The Bloom Foundry for the beautiful floral displays, the stall holders, the staff and the visitors. And a very special thanks to our friends at Sankey’s for being our amazing sponsor and for helping make this year’s food festival the best ever! Roll on the Gin & Jazz Festival and the Harvest Food Festival!”

Matthew Sankey adds: “Thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Food Festival. We had a mega couple of days on The Pantiles, where the sun was shining and the streets were packed! A big shout-out to all involved in making the event such a success, including the amazing chef demos by Bobby Brown from The Jolly Farmer, Mark Charker from The Bell in Ticehurst, Steve and James from Sankey’s, Mark O’Brien from Samphire, plus Scott Goss from The Beacon.

As a new addition, we had Key & Quill’s foodie talks on the bandstand with Rachel Phipps, “At Dad’s Table”, Anna’s Family Kitchen and Natalie Seldon, in between the brilliant live music. And Anna Lambert was a terrific host and compere throughout the event. We hope everyone enjoyed the event as much as we did. We’re already looking forward to the next!”

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