Food and Drink Demos & Workshops

Sessions

• Saturday 2nd May – 4:00pm

  Join Devil’s Dyke Distillery for a relaxed and inspiring 1.5-hour cocktail masterclass, perfect for elevating your outdoor adventures. In this session, you’ll learn how to create sunshine-ready cocktails using minimal kit, easy-to-pack ingredients, and clever prep you can do before your trip. Expect practical tips, simple techniques, and plenty of flavour inspiration. 

• Sunday 3rd May – 4:00pm

  Discover how to craft refreshing, sunshine-ready cocktails with minimal equipment and fuss, using ingredients that are easy to take on the go. A relaxed, hands-on style 1.5 hour session filled with tips and ideas for effortless outdoor entertaining. 

Friday

• 10:30-11:00 | BBQ masterclass: brisket prep, marinades and spice talk

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats showcase the art of great BBQ in this flavour-filled masterclass. Focusing on brisket preparation, he’ll demonstrate key techniques from trimming and seasoning to building rich marinades and perfectly balanced spice rubs. Along the way, Mark will share expert insights, tips, and the thinking behind flavour combinations, giving you plenty of inspiration to take back to your own grill. Perfect for food lovers and BBQ fans alike, this is a chance to learn from a pro in action.

• 12:00-13:30 | Crispy calamari & fruits of the sea

  Showcasing how to achieve perfectly crispy calamari, Mark will guide you through preparation techniques, batter tips, and cooking methods for the ideal texture and flavour. Alongside this, Mark will explore a selection of “fruits of the sea,” sharing insights on seasoning, pairing, and simple ways to elevate fresh seafood. A relaxed, informative session packed with inspiration for seafood lovers.

• 14:00-14:30 | Advice Centre Talk: eating my way through Italy

  Sit back and enjoy a delicious journey through Italy in this engaging talk at the Advice Centre. Exploring regional dishes, local ingredients, and culinary traditions, this session offers a taste of Italy’s rich food culture—from rustic classics to hidden gems. Along the way, you’ll hear stories, insights, and tips inspired by Marks travels across the country, leaving you with plenty of inspiration for your own Italian food adventures.

• 16:00-17:30 | BBQ skills: smoked brisket with siracha slaw

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats demonstrate how to create the ultimate BBQ pairing in this flavour-packed session. Focusing on smoked brisket, he’ll showcase key techniques for achieving tender, smoky results, from preparation to cooking methods. Alongside this, Mark will put together a vibrant sriracha slaw, sharing tips on balancing heat, crunch, and freshness. Packed with expert insights and bold flavour inspiration, this demonstration is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their BBQ repertoire.

• 18:00-20:00 | An evening with Vanlife Eats immersive Italian wine tasting experience (paid event)

  This immersive Italian wine tasting takes you on a journey across the country through seven carefully selected wines, each paired with traditional regional dishes. Along the way, Mark shares stories from his travels, offering insight into the people, places, and culture behind each bottle. Designed as an intimate, relaxed experience, it blends great wine, authentic food, and storytelling to give guests a deeper appreciation of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. 

Saturday

• 10:30-11:00 | Pancake tacos

  Showcasing how to turn soft, fluffy pancakes into the perfect taco-style base, Mark explores a range of sweet and savoury fillings, along with tips for balance, texture, and presentation. Full of inventive ideas and easy inspiration, this session is perfect for anyone looking to try something a little different.

• 12:00-13:00 | Free Pizza workshop (pre-bookable)

  This free, hands-on Neapolitan pizza workshop teaches you how to make the perfect dough from scratch using a top-quality Gozney oven. You’ll get involved in every step - from stretching the dough to cooking your own pizza - while learning a tried-and-tested recipe that works anywhere. With a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a fun, social experience where everyone can get stuck in, share tips, and enjoy plenty of great pizza together.

• 14:00-15:30 | Bacon burrito's

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats serve up a bold and satisfying favourite in this flavour-packed demonstration. Focusing on bacon burritos, he’ll showcase how to build the perfect wrap - from cooking crispy, flavourful bacon to layering ingredients for the ideal balance of taste and texture. A must-watch for lovers of hearty, feel-good food.

• 16:00-17:30 | Feed the influencer: mystery table taste-test challenge

  Watch the fun unfold as an influencer takes on a mystery taste-test challenge in this lively demonstration. Faced with a selection of surprise ingredients, they’ll sample, guess, and react in real time, with plenty of unexpected moments along the way. Hosted by Mark from Vanlife Eats, this entertaining session offers a light-hearted take on flavour, creativity, and food trends—perfect for anyone who enjoys a bit of culinary suspense.

• 18:00-20:00 | An evening with Vanlife Eats immersive Italian wine tasting experience (paid event)

  This immersive Italian wine tasting takes you on a journey across the country through seven carefully selected wines, each paired with traditional regional dishes. Along the way, Mark shares stories from his travels, offering insight into the people, places, and culture behind each bottle. Designed as an intimate, relaxed experience, it blends great wine, authentic food, and storytelling to give guests a deeper appreciation of Italy’s rich culinary heritage.

Sunday

• 10:30-11:00 | Breakfast cones

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats showcase a fun and portable twist on breakfast in this creative demonstration. Packed with inspiration and easy ideas, this session is perfect for anyone looking to shake up their morning routine.

• 12:00-13:30 | Neapolitan ragu masterclass

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats bring the rich flavours of Italy to life in this comforting demonstration. Focusing on a traditional Neapolitan ragu, he’ll showcase the techniques behind building depth of flavour. Along the way, Mark will share insights into authentic preparation and the story behind this classic dish, offering plenty of inspiration for recreating it at home.

• 14:00-15:00 | Free Assassins pasta workshop (pre-bookable)

  This free “Killer Pasta” workshop introduces you to the bold, smoky Spaghetti all’Assassina from Bari, where pasta is fried raw to create a rich, caramelised flavour. You’ll learn a simple, one-pan technique perfect for van cooking, with tips to master that signature charred crunch. Set in a fun, family-style atmosphere, it’s a hands-on, slightly chaotic experience where everyone can get involved and leave with a seriously impressive recipe. 

• 16:00-17:30 | Meatball masterclass - learn to make the ultimate meatballs

  Watch Mark from Vanlife Eats reveal the secrets to creating the ultimate meatballs in this satisfying masterclass. From selecting the right ingredients to shaping, seasoning, and cooking, he’ll demonstrate techniques for achieving perfect texture and flavour every time. Along the way, Mark will share tips on sauces, pairings, and simple ways to elevate this classic dish. A must-see for anyone who loves hearty, comforting food done right.

• 18:00-18:30 | Pan-Da-Monia Relay Race - fun foodie relay race

  Get involved in the action with this high-energy foodie relay race! Sign up at the Cooking Demo Area and take part in a series of fun, fast-paced challenges that put your skills, teamwork, and speed to the test. Expect plenty of laughs, a lively atmosphere, and a dash of friendly competition—perfect for anyone ready to jump in and join the fun.