This year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival was declared the year’s best live event at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Against very tough opposition, the festival won the “Leading Live Event” category at the 2022 This Is Manchester Awards.

Judges were impressed by the submission, which highlighted the festival’s accessibility, free family activities, community impact and the positive contribution on the local economy.

They were not the only ones to be impressed.

The Bolton News: Bolton Food and Drink FestivalBolton Food and Drink Festival

TV legend James Martin, a regular at the festival, has described it as “the biggest food festival in the UK and probably the biggest in Europe”.

James was part of a star line-up of celebrity chefs at this year’s festival alongside Si King of the Hairy Bikers, Ainsley Harriott and a host of local and regional favourites.

Now in its 17th year, the 2022 festival was the biggest yet as 460,000 people enjoyed four days of fine food and live entertainment.

The crowds flocked to the town centre on the August Bank Holiday Weekend to enjoy 180 food and craft stalls, bars and two live music stages.

The festival was also the greenest yet with a greater emphasis on local produce, sustainable practices, vegan options, and recyclable packaging.

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, accepted the award on behalf of the Food and Drink Festival team.

The Bolton News: James Martin Bolton  Food and Drink Festival  2022

He said “This award is recognition of the hard work of all those who give up their Bank Holiday weekend to make sure everyone has a great experience.

“The festival is organised by the council, but it is a real Team Bolton effort thanks to our sponsors, traders, musicians, and performers who make the event what it is.

“The award is also for Bolton residents, who always show up in big numbers to create a real festival atmosphere.

“We’ve always known that the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is something special, now the wider world is beginning to recognise it as an event of national significance.

“Organising and hosting major events like this is a key part of the council’s plan to make the town centre a more vibrant and exciting place to live, work, and visit.

“From Food and Drink, to IRONMAN and the Rugby League World Cup, nobody throws a party like Bolton and I’m sure next year will be even bigger and better.”