Great British Bake Off and MasterChef stars confirmed for return of Temple Newsam Food Festival - full lineup

Food lovers across Leeds are in for a treat this summer as the second annual Temple Newsam Food Festival prepares to return on August 15 and 16.

Organisers have officially unveiled the complete 2026 Live Cookery Theatre line-up, featuring ten top culinary experts from across the region.

The two-day celebration will showcase a star-studded mix of Great British Bake Off alumni, MasterChef quarter-finalists, award-winning farm shop owners, and leading regional head chefs.

Guiding audiences through the weekend as the brand-new host and compere is well-known Yorkshire chef Stephanie Moon, who will introduce ten unique live demonstrations across the two days.

The festival kitchen fires up on Saturday morning with Great British Bake Off favourite Sandy Docherty (Sandy Bakes), followed by MasterChef quarter-finalist Owen Diaram, who will demonstrate his signature global flavour combinations that earned his artisanal spice mixes a Great Taste Award.

Agritourism pioneer Heather Copley, co-owner of Farmer Copleys - which recently snagged Large Farm Shop of the Year 2025 - will take to the stage at 1pm, before MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist Josh Whitehead showcases his speciality handmade pies and terrines. Saturday’s stage finishes with pastry chef and tutor Emma Lawson of Baked, demonstrating modern twists on classical patisserie.

Sunday’s programme opens with Joe Crowe, Head Chef at Blacker Hall Farm’s The Barn, focusing on seasonal, regenerative Yorkshire produce.

At noon, plant-based baker, BBC presenter, and Bake Off star Freya Cox will demonstrate recipes from her independent baking business We Are Freyas. The afternoon continues with MasterChef quarter-finalist and private chef Chris Hale (proprietor of Hodroyd Hall), followed by South Indian street food expert Bobby Geetha (Kerala Canteen).

Closing out the weekend is Chris Hobson, Senior Sous Chef at Wrea Head Hall Hotel and winner of the Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards Rising Star title.

Temple Newsam Food Festival 2026 - Live Cookery Theatre schedule

August 15

• 11am: Sandy Docherty (Sandy Bakes / The Great British Bake Off)
• 12pm: Owen Diaram (Cook With Owen / MasterChef)
• 1pm: Heather Copley (Farmer Copleys)
• 2pm: Josh Whitehead (Finer Pleasures / MasterChef: The Professionals)
• 3pm: Emma Lawson (Baked by Emma Lawson)

August 16

• 11am: Joe Crowe (The Barn, Blacker Hall Farm)
• 12pm: Freya Cox (The Great British Bake Off / We Are Freyas)
• 1pm: Chris Hale (Hodroyd Hall / MasterChef)
• 2pm: Bobby Geetha (Kerala Canteen / MasterChef)
• 3pm: Chris Hobson (Wrea Head Hall Hotel)

Alongside the Live Cookery Theatre, the 2026 festival will feature international street food stalls, artisan markets, live music stages, independent bars, and family activities across the Temple Newsam estate.

Early bird tickets and full festival updates are available now via the official Temple Newsam Food Festival website.