Genr8 Developments has announced that Feast Stoke will be bringing its celebrated pop-up street food event to Smithfield this month – in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent BID, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Sauce Staffordshire, The Sound Kitchen, Created Academy and AUDIO.
The cultural extravaganza – called Beats & Eats – will take place on 20 September from 4:30pm, and will see local DJs and artisanal food and drink vendors welcomed to the site, as well as free yoga sessions led by a wellness instructor.
Joel Chandler, Development Manager at Genr8, said: “We’re excited to show a different side of Smithfield to Stoke-on-Trent, and demonstrate its credentials as a real destination for leisure and culture.
“The estate is truly coming alive now as works continue to progress, and we’re hopeful that this will be the first in a long line of vibrant, accessible events for the local community.
“Feast Stoke is a great brand, and we’re proud to be working with an array of brilliant local organisations – including the BID – to make Beats & Eats happen.”
Beats & Eats will feature food and drink from local traders Gyro Guys, Toastie The Difference, Pizza Al Forno, Nui’s, Smoke Pit BBQ, Churros Hermanos, Phata Phat, JWS Holy Smoke, Sticky Beaks, Mukaase Afro Caribbean, Ginsecco Bar, and Bottlecraft.
Live music will include sets from Emily Williamson and Tom Gething, and DJ sets from Tom Dyche, Stephanie Edwards, Darla Jade, Calum Murphy, Joey T, Sam White, and John Whitehurst.
There will also be yoga sessions led by Love and Light Shala.
Daren Bach at Feast Stoke said: “We’ve got a fantastic and varied line-up of vendors, from local favourites like Smoke Pit BBQ, the Ginsecco Bar and BottleCraft; to well-known street food concepts from further afield like Gyro Guys.
“Sticky Beaks and JW’s HolySmoke will be bringing their slowcooked meats, and we’ll have Afro-Caribbean food from Mukaase, Thai from Nui’s Kitchen, Indian from Phata Phat and Pizza Al Forno, too. Toastie the Difference will be serving halloumi fries and grilled cheese sandwiches, and Churros Hermanos have dessert covered.”
Feast Stoke is a sister event to Feast Stone, which was launched back in May 2019. Thousands of people turned out on a wet Wednesday evening for the first Feast, fulfilling the aim of encouraging visitors to the high street at an otherwise quiet time for local businesses.
Provoke Marketing & Design, a Stone-based agency specialising in the food and drink industry, has worked with various partners to bring the event to Stone and now Stoke-on-Trent.
Richard Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID Manager, said:
“We’re ecstatic that the City Centre will be playing host to an exciting evening event dedicated to street food and local music and with such great suppliers and artists local to the area on the bill too.
“Events like this gives people a reason to come into Hanley and sample what the area has to offer, and as that’s one of our priorities as a BID, we are delighted to be supporting the festival.”
Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure said:
“It’s fantastic that Feast Stoke is bringing Beats and Eats to the city centre.
“We are pleased to be working with partners to bring such brilliant events to Stoke-on-Trent. Events like this attract more people to the city and consequently increase footfall in our local businesses.
“It’s set to be a great event, full of delicious food and entertainment. I would encourage anybody who has the time to go along – there is sure to be something for everyone.”
Beats & Eats is free to attend, and no ticket is required. The event will run from 4:30pm-10:30pm at Smithfield, Hanley. For more information, see the official event Facebook page.