Croeso Festival will bring the feel-good factor to the city centre with its varied programme of entertainment.
Swansea’s festival celebrating all things Welsh, Croeso, will be packing lots of excitement into the city centre when it returns on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February.
The free event is organised by Swansea Council.
“We’re excited to be bringing this event to Swansea. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of our fantastic food and drink and also attract new people into the city centre to see some of the chefs in action and experience something new in Swansea.”
Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism.
Visitors heading to Croeso, held each day between 11am and 4pm, can expect to enjoy an exciting line-up of entertainment and cooking demonstrations that will get taste buds tingling. What’s more, it is free to attend, so you can just wander around the city centre venues and tap into what you fancy.
Croeso is brought to you by Swansea Council in association with First Cymru and supported by Food & Drink Wales.
Food and drink is at the heart of Croeso. Mooch about the stalls and you’ll find some of the best local produce from traders across Wales, including Halen Mon sea salt, Calon Wen organic dairy, and Kilvey honey.
However, if you need some culinary inspiration, you must catch one of the cooking demonstrations by some of the UK’s top chefs and home cooks, sure to whet your appetite!
Actor, singer, presenter and writer, John Partridge is best known for the long-running and much-loved role of Christian Clarke in BBC’s EastEnders. However, in 2018 his talent in the kitchen saw him crowned Celebrity MasterChef. John will be cooking his recipe for delicious Welsh lamb meatballs at 3pm on Saturday.
Hywel Griffith has enjoyed an illustrious career working at some of the UK’s top restaurants. He is now Chef Director at Beach House in Oxwich, achieving a Michelin Star. Hywel’s demonstration will be at 11am on Saturday.
Head Chef of SY23 in Aberystwyth, Nathan Davies has represented Wales in BBC’s Great British Menu. His food style is seasonally driven with an emphasis on big flavours. Nathan’s cooking demonstration is at 12pm on Friday.
Jack Stein, son of Rick Stein, has a talent and passion for good cooking running through his blood. Jack has worked as a chef in restaurants across the world, including La Régalade in Paris, and is now Chef Director of Rick Stein Restaurants. A familiar face on television, appearing on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Jack’s will be cooking at 1pm on Friday.
Kwoklyn Wan grew up helping his parents in the family restaurant, The Panda, by peeling prawns or chopping vegetables from a young age. He is now a worldwide bestselling author, TV chef, martial arts expert, and presenter. Kwoklyn recently launched his own series on Amazon Prime, Kwolyn’s Chinese Takeaway Kitchen, and will be cooking at Croeso at 1pm on Saturday.
Completing the line-up of cooking demonstrations at Croeso are Sian Day (My Kitchen Rules), Anand George (Purple Poppadom), Stewart Williams (Castell Howell), Matt Waldron (Stackpole Inn / Gordon Ramsay: Unchartered Showdown), and Katie Davies (Britain’s Best Home Cook).
Croeso’s cooking demonstrations are sponsored by Castell Howell.
There’s more to Croeso than food and drink, listen out for the sounds of original Welsh music brining Castle Square to life, the line-up includes Eleri Angharad, Asha Jane, Dafydd Hedd, Tom Emlyn, Llyffant. And, there’s more live music after dark with Croeso Nightworks.
Wander around Croeso and you’ll find plenty to entertain children, from Roly Poly’s fun games to Annibendod arts and crafts activities. Stilt-walking Welsh ladies and rugby players, dancers, and street entertainers all to the festival atmosphere.
Join Menter Iaith Abertawe in the Cwtsh Marquee, where you can learn more about opportunities to enjoy the Welsh language in the Swansea area, browse a selection of Siop Tŷ Tawe’s gifts and books, a chance to meet Mr Urdd and Magi Ann, and Cymraeg i Blant will be offering Story and Song sessions. A big welcome to all awaits – whether you’re a fluent Welsh speaker, learning the language, or just curious!
Follow St David’s Trail, our Welsh-themed treasure trail visiting some of the city centre’s popular landmarks and attractions. Find all eight of the hidden Welsh images to win yourselves a Croeso goodie bag, courtesy of Original Cottages, plus get entered into a draw for containing a prize bundle containing Buzz Trampoline Park tickets, a family pass to Plantasia Tropical Zoo, two tickets to a Swansea City FC match, and a Plantasia cuddly soft toy monkey!
Be sure to stop at First Cymru’s stand, they’ll be giving away over £1000 worth of prizes from an annual bus pass for their South Wales network to free daily passes.
Croeso is brought to you by Swansea Council in association with First Cymru and supported by Food & Drink Wales and Castell Howell.
