TV chef James Martin described Bolton Food and Drink Festival as the best - and now that is official.

The four-day festival has been named the ‘Best Large Speciality Market’ in the UK.

Last year’s record-breaking Bolton Food and Drink Festival has been named the best of its kind in the country at a prestigious awards show.

A team from Bolton Council has accepted the award for ‘Best Large Speciality Market’, a national title given by the National Association of British Markets Authority.

The Great British Market Awards, held yesterday in Birmingham, recognise the positive and essential contribution that local markets make to their local economy and communities.

The Bolton News: Food and Drink FestivalFood and Drink Festival

The 2022 Bolton Food and Drink Festival was the biggest and best yet, with over 460,000 visitors flocking to Bolton town centre to enjoy 180 stalls featuring a variety of traders, celebrity chefs and special events, live music, children’s activities, cookery demonstrations and lots of street performers.

Judges were particularly impressed that the festival continues to improve and refine its offer each year.

They also praised the festival’s strong connections with the local community, businesses and schools, as well as initiatives which allow young traders to experience a major event for the first time.

The Bolton News: Bolton Food and Drink Festival organisers celebrate successBolton Food and Drink Festival organisers celebrate success (Image: Agency)

The judges were also impressed by the internationally famous chefs the festival attracts, and agreed that the market industry as a whole benefits from the publicity they bring.

This is not the first time the event has been recognised as industry leading.

In November 2022, against tough opposition, the festival won ‘Leading Live Event’ at the 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.

Among the many impressed by the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, popular TV chef, James Martin, leads the way describing the event as “pretty incredible.

He said last year it was the best in the world

He said: “The streets are packed and the selection of chefs here is as varied as the selection of producers, there is food from five or six countries in a matter of yards it really is impressive.”

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, said:“I am delighted that yet again Bolton Food and Drink Festival has been recognised nationally, it is well deserved and testament to all the hard work involved.

“Year on year Team Bolton works hard to deliver an outstanding event, giving opportunities for traders to showcase their produce.

“Major events like this are a key part of our plans to make the town centre a more vibrant place to live, work and visit – increasing footfall and showing Bolton at its very best.

“Well done to everybody involved and we look forward to even bigger and better things this year.”

Announcements will be coming soon for Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2023 which will return over August bank holiday weekend on 25th – 28th August.

For more information about visiting, or having a stall at the festival follow the festival’s social media accounts.