There will be stars from BBC cooking shows and more
Maldon Smoke and Fire Festival(Image: Maldon smoke and fire)
We’re now looking forward to summer in Essex, and there’s plenty to do for families and friends! There’s one Essex festival that’s coming back to a popular park in Maldon for its 10th anniversary.
Award-winning Smoke and Fire Festivals (S&F) – the UK’s largest BBQ and outdoor cooking festivals celebrating the art of cooking with fire – is coming back to Maldon this summer, with plenty to do for all families. Returning to one of its most loved locations, Promenade Park on August 15-16 2026, this year’s festival promises a weekend packed with firsts, favourites, and unforgettable food experiences.
This year’s festival brings together more live fire cooking demonstrations from top chefs, hosted by Sam and Shauna (Samantha Evans and Shauna Guinn). They are acclaimed Welsh-based BBQ experts, cookbook authors, and stars of the BBC series Sam and Shauna’s Big Cook-Out.
New for 2026 is Festival BBQ School where visitors can step up to the grill themselves in this pre-bookable hands-on workshop experience. In another first, the event will be hosting the European Butcher Wars – a theatrical competition bringing the best butchers to the table in the art and science of butchery.
Also back are the British Open Freestyle BBQ Championships where you can watch British and European teams vie for a place at the BBQ World Cup. And appealing to those who dare the festival’s Extreme Eating Challenges of Hot Chilli and Hot Wings are sure to entertain and offer up their own fiery fun!
The fun, party atmosphere includes live music all weekend with a Saturday headliner planned alongside the UK’s best tribute acts on the Sunday, in addition to a Family Fun Zone including rides and bouncy castles and children entertainers.
