Events & Entertainment, Wimborne | Posted on February 27th, 2026 | return to news

Christchurch chef to headline Wimborne Food Festival

The third annual Wimborne Food Festival will take place on Saturday 19 September to celebrate the town’s food and drink scene.

The headliner for the third annual Wimborne Food Festival has been revealed as Christchurch-based chef Colin Nash.

Wimborne Minster’s celebration of its food and drink scene will take place on Saturday 19 September. Organised by Wimborne BID and now in its third year, this free event brings together local producers, chefs, restaurants, retailers and food lovers in the heart of the town.

As headliner of the event, Nash will lead a live cookery demonstration in the Festival Food Theatre marquee on Willow Walk near Waitrose. He is the owner of the Colin Nash Restaurant at The Retreat in Christchurch and has more than three decades of experience in the kitchens of renowned restaurants including Stanwell House, Langland Brasserie and The Three Tuns.

Nash said: “I’m excited to be asked to do a demo at the festival. Wimborne Food Festival is on the same wavelength as the Colin Nash Restaurant — local and seasonal, which we embrace. It’s my first time as a guest speaker at Wimborne Food Festival and I’m looking forward to seeing some new faces.”

Wimborne Food Festival will take place across the town from 11am to 4pm, with stalls, family activities, cookery demonstrations and free tastings.

Fiona Pawsey, chair of Wimborne BID, said: “Wimborne BID is thrilled to be organising the Wimborne Food Festival again, especially as this year Wimborne is Dorset’s Town of Culture. Colin’s live demonstration will be a highlight of the day, giving festivalgoers the chance to watch a master chef at work — and get inspired by his passion for local, sustainable cooking.”

A full programme of events will be released in the coming months. To take part in the food festival, email Wimborne BID manager Tammy Sleet at office@wimborne.info.