May Bank Holiday in Leeds: The Great British Food Festival makes its return to Harewood House

Nick Maycock, organiser of the Great British Food Festival which is being held at Harewood House this Bank Holiday weekend (photo: Gary Longbottom)

That’s putting a smile on people’s faces.

The festival is making its post-Covid debut at Harewood House throughout the whole Bank Holiday weekend.

There are new foods and activities and an all-new Grow Your Own stage with a focus on veggie, vegan and gardening tips.

With more than 100 traders hitting the fest altogether, co-director Nick Maycock says it’s time to bring the magic back to the outdoors.

He told the YEP: “Of course returning is a bit nerve wracking because when you stop doing something for over a year you start to question what’s to come and how to do it, but we’ve got a great team and taken extra time to plan for this.

“We’re very excited and we can’t wait to get back out there and be back in a field with the vibe of happy faces - that’s just magic.

“I remember a few years ago we were running one of our festivals and my dad stopped my brother and I and said ‘lads, just stop and have a look around, have a look around at all the happy faces and all the smiles’.

“Those moments are the special ones and you know that thousands of people have come and that they will hopefully take away some happy memories from the event.”

Mr Maycock runs the Great British Food Festival primarily with his brother and brother’s wife, but a lot of the staff working at the festival are also fellow Maycock friends or family.

He added: “It’s been quite a hit for all of us together but at the moment you take your blessings where you can find them and we’re thankful and ready to have another go at this.

“We’re coming back stronger and looking forward to what is going to feel like a crazy summer again I’m sure.

“We’ve been shocked day-by-day with how many tickets we’ve sold and we’re so happy that people want to come out and support small, local businesses.

“It’s time to get outside the house, get into the great outdoors and have some time with family and friends.”