Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival slammed for charging more than £200 for tickets and demos

Frustrated foodies have slammed an upmarket food festival for charging extra to see demonstrations from celebrity chefs. 

The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival, in Skipton, charges punters £23 to get in plus an extra £32 if they want to camp at the two-day event. 

It advertises a line-up of top name chefs, including Gino D’Acampo, James Martin, and The Hairy Bikers.

But foodies have to fork out another £40 each for people to watch each of their 40-minute demos.

The festival advertised itself as a ‘day out with the kids for less than £70’ causing fury among many would-be customers. 

Frustrated foodies have slammed an upmarket food festival for charging extra to see demonstrations from celebrity. It advertises a line-up of top name chefs, including Gino D’Acampo, James Martin, and The Hairy Bikers (pictured)

‘I was very tempted. But I’m afraid I can’t stand having to pay for a ticket then pay on top for seeing headliners.

‘Especially if you’re going to be a captive spender on food stalls all weekend anyway,’ one frustrated local wrote on Facebook.  

‘Wow the prices are unreal nothing is included, all separate,’ said another.

It still a lot of money for most people,’ commented a third.

The festival will also feature live music, activities, a fun fair, and vendors.

The festival advertised itself as a 'day out with the kids for less than £70' causing fury among many would-be customers

The festival advertised itself as a ‘day out with the kids for less than £70’ causing fury among many would-be customers

Those forking out the cash will be able to see both Take That and Katy Perry tribute acts, as well as a DJ set from Gok Wan and bands playing eighties hits.   

The event will take place between 21 July and 23 July at Funkirk Farm in Skipton, North Yorkshire. 

However, some food fans weren’t put off by the price.

‘A fantastic opportunity,’ wrote one.

The event will take place between 21 July and 23 July at Funkirk Farm in Skipton, North Yorkshire

The event will take place between 21 July and 23 July at Funkirk Farm in Skipton, North Yorkshire

‘I’ve loved cooking recipes from all these fab chefs.’

‘I would love to go meet Gino. Call him what you want, he cheers me up,’ wrote another.

Children are welcome to attend – with day ticket prices selling for £23 plus a booking fee.

The £32 camping cost is based on six people sharing a tent, while day ticket options are available for £24.78, including a booking fee.

Rachael Higgins, Founder of the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival told FEMAIL: ‘The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival is one of the best value festivals in the UK at only £23 for a day ticket, £50 for a weekend ticket and kids under 7 go free. 

‘There is a price of £40 per ticket, which includes the £23 entry to the festival so it’s only £17 extra, to see our world-class line up of celebrity chefs – James Martin, The Hairy Bikers and Gino D’Acampo – in our Big Top Theatre Kitchen. 

‘This is an added extra and the celebrity chefs appear for free on the main stage each day. 

‘We have kept our ticket prices as low as possible as well as adding even more free content, so it continues to be an affordable day out.

‘The £23 ticket includes an array of free activities including 200 exhibitors, 100s of masterclasses and workshops, over 50 chef demos, live music from Gok Wan, Brutus Love Train and Pat Sharp along with loads of family entertainment.

‘We pride ourselves on being a good value family-focused food and drink festival that offers a unique experience in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s so much more than a food festival and that’s why 70 per cent of our guests return every year.’

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk