From Sept. 18–27, the first-ever Guernsey International Food Festival debuts on the charming British Channel Island of Guernsey. The festival will feature a variety of culinary events and demonstrations, with several headline activities hosted at The Duke of Richmond hotel and The Old Government House Hotel and Spa. These venues will showcase local ingredients, visiting chefs, and a series of tastings designed to highlight the island’s thriving food scene.
The Old Government House Hotel and Spa, Guernsey’s only five-star property, will play a central role in the festival. Chef Pascal Lemoine—recipient of the 2015 Channel Islands Chef of the Year award and the hotel’s head of kitchens—will oversee many of the hotel’s festival dining experiences. Guests staying at the hotel during the festival can expect carefully crafted menus that emphasize seasonal produce and refined technique, reflecting the island’s coastal influence and regional culinary traditions.
The Old Government House is offering a dedicated Guernsey International Food Festival getaway package. The package includes a two-night stay, cocktails and canapés on arrival, an indulgent Champagne afternoon tea, and a three-course dinner served in the hotel’s brasserie. As part of the package, guests will also receive a ten percent discount on treatments at the hotel’s spa, making it easy to combine fine dining with relaxation. The package is designed for travelers who want a short, immersive food-focused escape where accommodations and festival events are conveniently connected.
In addition to seated dining and afternoon tea offerings, the festival will present interactive competitions and mixology showcases. On Sept. 19, mixologists will take part in the Great Guernsey Mix Off Competition, creating signature cocktails inspired by Haut Maison fruit liqueurs. This event highlights the island’s interest in inventive beverage pairing and the growing reputation of local and artisan liqueur producers. Attendees can expect creative twists on classic cocktails as well as fresh combinations that pair well with regional dishes.
Across the nine-day festival, visitors will find a broad program that may include live demonstrations, chef talks, pop-up tasting menus, and collaborative dinners featuring guest chefs from the Channel Islands and beyond. The festival’s aim is to bring attention to Guernsey’s food culture—showcasing its fisheries, farms, and producers—while offering visitors an opportunity to enjoy both high-end dining and more casual food experiences.
For travelers planning to attend, Guernsey provides a compact and walkable setting where hotels, restaurants, and event venues are close together. This makes it convenient to combine festival events with short excursions around the island, such as visits to local markets, coastal walks, and sampling produce from independent shops. The festival provides a window into the island’s culinary identity while also encouraging visitors to explore beyond the festival schedule.
The inaugural Guernsey International Food Festival aims to be a highlight of the island’s autumn calendar, inviting food lovers to discover new flavors, celebrate local producers, and enjoy elegant hospitality. Whether attending competitive mixology events, indulging in Champagne afternoon tea, or booking the festival getaway at The Old Government House Hotel and Spa, guests will find a curated food experience set against the scenic backdrop of the Channel Islands.