You can get tickets to a four-course fire feast from Hang Fire BBQ in Wales next month
The new annual fire-cooking festival, titled Mabon, aims to celebrate feasting, fire and folklore associated with the autumn equinox in September
The new annual fire-cooking festival, titled Mabon, aims to celebrate feasting, fire and folklore associated with the autumn equinox in September
The award winning Hang Fire BBQ is making a return to Wales for a street food festival in Monmouthshire.
Chefs Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn of Hang Fire BBQ - who brought authentic southern states of the US barbecue cooking to Wales - will bring their distinctive style of cooking to Caldicot Castle this September, in collaboration with Street Food Circus..
The new annual fire-cooking festival, titled Mabon, aims to celebrate feasting, fire and folklore associated with the autumn equinox in September.
The event will take place on Friday, September 26, until Sunday, September 28. The Hang Fire four-course feasts will take place during each of the event days
According to Street Food Circus, Mabon will be a weekend food festival bringing together a diverse line-up of chefs who all have one thing in common - a love of cooking with fire. Mabon, which is also known as the autumn equinox, is a pagan festival that is celebrated at the end of September and marks the midpoint between the summer and winter solstices.
Taking inspiration from these celebrations, the new festival will make the most of Wales' harvest time, bringing together the smoke and flames with the best Welsh produce, while drinks will come from a natural wine bar supplied by Wright's Wines. And even better, the festival will be hosted within the medieval walls of Caldicot Castle in Monmouthshire.
At the event, attendees will see chefs cooking outdoors around a central dining space under cover of a large canopy. Sam and Shauna will host an exclusive four-course fire feast and will be joined by guest chefs under the canvas. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here .
Additionally, the event will include theatrical performances and storytelling around communal fire pits, as well as Smoke & Fire Demo stage. Street Food Circus has confirmed there will also be a programme of food talks from chefs, producers and writers all curated by restaurateur Simon Wright.
Ahead of the event, Shauna Guinn, the co-founder of Hang Fire BBQ said: "The first food festival we cooked at was also the first ever Street Food Circus in Cardiff - so we're thrilled to be back to celebrate ten years with them.
(L-R): Shauna Guinn and Sam Evans of Hang Fire BBQ will host an exclusive four-course fire feast and will be joined by guest chefs at the Mabon event
(Image: Street Food Circus / Hang Fire BBQ)
"We've always wanted to create an event which celebrates our home here in Wales and our great passion for cooking over fire. And importantly, one where everyone is welcome, a truly inclusive event where the focus is all about great chefs cooking with the best - ideally Welsh - produce.
"We also know how hard everyone in the food industry works throughout the festival season in the summer, so we'll be extending a very warm welcome to anyone who wants to join us for an end-of-the-season get-together".
The event will take place at Caldicot Castle, which has been hosting Street Food Circus' The Big Banquet for the kast three years
(Image: Street Food Circus)
As food lovers in the south Wales area will know, Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn made their name with Hang Fire BBQ, that was fully booked for seven years, and won the prestigious title of best restaurant in the UK at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, until the decided to close the Hang Fire Southern Kitchen smokehouse in Barry in 2021.
The cooking duo have also become familiar faces on the small screen, having appeared on BBC's Saturday Kitchen as guest chefs and helping change the way people barbecue with their own TV series - Sam and Shauna's Big Cook Out. They have also published a series of cookbooks and made regular appearances at food festivals.
Over the last three years, Street Food Circus has been holding their Big Banquet events at Caldicot Castle. This year, the Big Banquet took place over the Spring Bank Holiday in May. Mabon will be the ninth event out of ten in the 2025 Street Food Circus programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The event will take place on Friday, September 26, until Sunday, September 28
(Image: Street Food Circus / Hang Fire BBQ)
Matt the Hat, founder of Street Food Circus said: "This is a bit of a departure from our usual family-focused feastival events. We're leaning into the fire and folklore, creating something more grown-up, and uniquely Welsh with Mabon. It's a time to enjoy the richness of our harvest in Wales, gather together around the fire and take the opportunity for one last outdoor event before the nights draw in.
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"We're celebrating ten years of Street Food Circus and all the food businesses that have joined us along the way, many of whom have gone on to open restaurants, appear on TV or win major awards. So, it's really special to welcome back Sam & Shauna who've done all of those things! We can't wait to launch this new annual venture with them".
Camper van parking with toilet facilities will also be available for people to stay on site overnight for the event. The first release of tickets are on sale now, which you can find on the Mabon website here.
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