A full line- up of street food venders and entertainment has been announced for Reading Cheese Feast, including karaoke hosted by former Eastenders star.
The three-day event, organised by Blue Collar, will be held in Forbury Gardens on Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30.
Live performances include an ABBA tribute band, a showcase from local dance schools, a seven-piece band performing Eurovision hits and ‘Barrioke’ - karaoke hosted by Eastenders actor Shaun Williamson.
Street Food:
Street food traders will offer a variety of options including gourmet cheese toasties, macaroni cheese and cheese boards across the three-day Cheese Feast.
- GEORGIAN FEAST: Georgian khatchapuris (cheese bread) and wraps
- MARLOW CHEESE COMPANY: Gourmet cheese toasties with award winning local cheese
- MAINSTREET MAC & CHEESE: Gourmet mac & cheese
- SHARIAN’S JAMAICAN CUISINE: Jerk halloumi & Caribbean food
- MR PIG STUFF: Loaded cheese quesadillas
- CHURROS GARCIA: Authentic churros with a gorgonzola dip
- GAME KEEPER UK: Gourmet venison burgers
- SOLELUNA PIZZA: Authentic Neopolitan pizzas
- HEAVENLY SAUSAGE: Loaded dogs with grilled cheese toppings
- CLARK’S KITCHEN: Halloumi burgers & fries
- TAPAS CULTURE: Spanish manchego tapas & paella
- BERLIN DONER: German loaded kebabs
- HURRICANE HUGGYS: Fried chicken burgers & strips
- HARLEM2MANILA: Cheese twisted bao buns
- FINE BROWNIE CO: Deluxe brownies
- PITTA PITTA: Greek halloumi wraps & fries
- KRUA KOSON: Thai street food with a cheese-based twist
Reading speciality coffee roasters, Anonymous Coffee Co., will be on hand with hot drinks all weekend.
Blue Collar will be serving local craft beer, Pimms, prosecco and cocktails throughout the weekend.
Cheese Produce Area:
Reading-based cheese, beer and spirits shop, The Grumpy Goat, are hosting the cheese produce area which will be opening on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 6pm.
As well as selling their own cheese boards, The Grumpy Goat have selected some of their favourite producers, cheesemongers and a global cheese expert to join them at this year’s Cheese Feast.
- SOMERSET CHEESE COMPANY: Award-winning artisan cheese, naturally rinded and suitable for vegetarians
- FEN FARM DAIRY: Innovative family farm, setting the standard for dairy sustainability
- MONS CHEESEMONGERS: Specialist retailers in continental and British cheese since 2006 (Saturday only)
- MARLOW CHEESE COMPANY: Local family run award-winning cheese makers
- THE CHEESE EXPLORER: International cheese expert and consultant, global cheese travels and work documented on Instagram (Saturday only)
- TILEHURST BEEKEEPERS & JENNY’S BEES: Small batch honey extracted from hives in Tilehurst and Caversham
- BRAY CURED: British charcuterie cured, smoked and spiced by hand in Berkshire
Live Entertainment
Cheesy music will play a big part at this year’s Cheese Feast. Rich Sloman, resident DJ at Popworld Reading, will DJ and host the entertainment stage.
- THE ABBA TRIBUTE BAND: Experienced tribute act performing ABBA’s greatest hits
- BARRIOKE: Barry from Eastenders (Shaun Williamson) will be hosting a karaoke session
- CHEESY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING: An hour DJ set of power ballads and rock
- DANCE SHOWCASE: Local dance schools, Elibah School of Dance and Bronia Pearce Dance Company, will present a showcase of dance routines to cheesy songs
- THE EUROVISIONARIES: Seven-piece group perform a live set of Eurovision songs.
The event is free to attend and will run from 5pm to 10.30pm on Friday (April 28), 11am to 10.30pm on Saturday (April 29) and 11am to 7pm on Sunday (April 30.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here