25 Jun Everyone loves Festival that brings Croydon together!
Thousands turned out to celebrate the biggest and best ever Croydon Food & Music Festival on Sunday, 23rd June 2019 – and everyone agrees it was a big success.
A record 13,000 people visited the 8th annual event to enjoy alfresco dining on international cuisine served by over 90 street food and drinks stalls along the borough’s famous Restaurant Quarter in South End.
They danced along to top class live sets from local bands and musicians on two stages, and tasted food and cocktails prepared by local chefs and mixologists on the Mobile Kitchen Theatre stage, which made a popular return this year.There were also drinks stalls serving cocktails, prosecco and soft drinks, as well as street entertainment, stilt walkers and face painters for the children.
South Croydon resident Emma Miller, who was there with family and friends, summed up the mood: “There was a brilliant atmosphere at the Festival this year – a really good vibe, with so much more to do. I love that it brings the whole community together – it’s such a great advert for Croydon.”
After sampling freshly made vegan pasta on the Mobile Cookery Theatre stage, the new Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Humayun Kabir (pictured above)), said: “The food festival is a great event for Croydon that brings people of all ages and cultures together to enjoy a great family day out of fantastic food and music. I congratulate everyone involved for putting on another successful event for the borough.”
Organised by South Croydon Business Association, this year’s Festival featured top bands on a Main Stage hosted by local venue Hoodoos and sponsored by London Borough of Croydon. The Community Stage, sponsored by Regent Land Developments played host to fantastic local talent including musicians and choirs.
South Croydon Business Association Chairman & owner of Yumn Restaurant, Waseem Sherwani (pictured above second right, with Deputy, Peter Bagatti and the Mayor of Croydon & his wife) thanked all the organisers, traders, musicians, and visitors.
He paid particular tribute to the 2019 Festival Sponsors who made the event possible: London Borough of Croydon; the Ward Councillors of Fairfield, Sanderstead, Selsdon and South Croydon; Bagatti’s Restaurant; Bryden Johnson; Queen’s Square and Regent Land Developments.
QUOTES – WHAT THEY SAID:
SPONSORS:
QUEEN’S SQUARE
“The Croydon Food and Music Festival was a huge success, and aside from being immense fun, the aromas, taste and sound sensations really highlight the amazing cultural platform that Croydon offers. R&F Properties are fully immersed in designing Queen’s Square to deliver a large mixed use scheme that will provide a new public square, path ways, and food and retail offerings right in the centre of Croydon. We look forward to building a vibrant destination for people to live, work and enjoy and are proud to continue our integration into this rich community. We welcome all visitors to our marketing suite at 23-25 High Street, Croydon, to find out more about our plans, and the progress we are making.”
Michael Purefoy, Sales and Marketing Director, R&F Group UK
REGENT LAND
“Regent land are delighted to sponsor such a popular annual event, as a Croydon company we are proud to be part of the Croydon community and place a lot of value on our association with supporting such inclusive occasions, highlighting further what a great place Croydon is for all”
Patrick Maher, Director, Regent Land and Development
LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON
“The food festival is a great event for Croydon that brings people from all ages and cultures together to enjoy a great family day out of fantastic food and great music. I congratulate everyone involved, including organisers South Croydon Business Association, for putting on another successful event for the borough.”
Councillor Humayun Kabir, Mayor of Croydon.
SOUTH CROYDON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
“We’ve put on one of the biggest food festivals Croydon has ever seen this year. We brought back cookery demonstrations on the Mobile Cookery Stage, we added more food stalls, more music and more bands, and the feedback has been terrific – everyone seemed to love it. Best of all, there was a really fantastic feeling that the festival brought the whole community together to bond and celebrate Croydon.”
Peter Bagatti, Deputy Chair of SCBA & owner of Bagatti’s Restaurant.
WARD COUNCILLORS
“The Croydon Food & Music Festival is a great event that brings the entire community together to enjoy good food and music in a peaceful and happy family atmosphere. We are proud to sponsor the 2019 event – well done to everyone involved in making it happen”
Councillor Jason Perry, Ward Councillor for South Croydon.
QUOTES – STALLHOLDERS
It’s been very good – we’ve been really busy all day with lots of people coming to the stall. Favourite dishes were chicken and lamb based curries. I’m really pleased how it has gone.”
Majid Nowrouzi, Abshar Restaurant.
“We love this festival and always enjoy being here. Everyone really enjoys themselves and we’ve been really busy.”
Matt Lisle, Street Cocktails
“We’ve had a steady stream of people buying our food – it’s our first year and honestly it’s even better than we expected. We’ll be back next year for sure.”
Amal Sheikh and Karim Rashid, Gimme Samosa
There’s a really nice vibe this year. We’ve had a really good day with a steady stream of customers. It’s our second year at the festival – we’ll definitely be back next year.
Andrew Graves & Hannah Denbeigh, The Ginistry.
“We’ve had lots of customers today – it’s been really good, even better than last year.”
Shuv, North Meets East
QUOTES – VISITORS
It’s been a terrific day – there’s a great atmosphere and everybody’s having a good time. The food was fantastic, the live entertainment was first class. It’s been great!”
Catherine Louch, Croydon
“It’s our first time at the festival – our cousin Will’s second time – and we’ve had a lovely time. We’ll definitely be back. It’s a good, friendly atmosphere and great to see everyone coming together like this – every aspect was perfect.”
Jade Baker & sister Jasmine, Crawley & Will Baker, Croydon.
“I’ve come to the festival every year for the last three years, and I just love it. There’s a great vibe, a real diversity of people, cultures, food, and music. Everyone has a good time – it’s a real community day.”
Jenny Bateup, West Croydon
“I’ve been for the last four years and it’s always great. If anything there’s even more to see and do this year.”
James Smith, Purley
“I’ve been coming for the last three years and if anything, there’s even more to see and do this year. It’s a really great local event with a good atmosphere.
Emma Power-Gibbs, Eastleigh
“There was a brilliant atmosphere at the Festival – a really good vibe with so much to do. I love that it brings the whole community together – it’s such a great advert for Croydon.”
Emma Miller, South Croydon
Thanks South Croydon Business Association for organising this event. There was a great open atmosphere with different flavours mingling together, both food and music. Strangers dancing together, chatting to each other, having fun. I loved it!
Daisy Narula – Facebook
Great day and food! Nice to see so many people come out and support!
Nicole Hunte – Facebook
I feel like a total Croydoner now!! I love the diversity, the sense of community, the relaxed vibe and the warm welcome!!
Maria Barreira – Twitter
Huge congratulations to the organisers at Croydon Food Festival for yet another successful year. An amazing atmosphere filled with love and laughter not forgetting the sumptuous food by all the local restaurants and eateries. A special shout out to Playground Cocktail Bar for throwing the best street party the festival has ever seen.
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