Excitement is building for the 2026 #AmazingAccrington Food & Drink Festival as the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa has been unveiled as a main sponsor of the much-anticipated event, taking place in Accrington Town Centre on Saturday 6th June from 10am to 4pm.
Joining Hyndburn Borough Council as headline sponsors, the Dunkenhalgh’s involvement promises to bring a fresh and flavourful dimension to this year’s festival, with visitors set to enjoy a series of live cooking demonstrations from the hotel’s talented Head Chef, Sean Noonan.
Sean will take to the stage four times throughout the day, with his first demonstration beginning at 10:30am, showcasing his passion for high-quality, locally sourced cuisine.
Festivalgoers can look forward to an impressive menu of dishes including Chicken Supreme with Koffmann cabbage, truffled mash and red wine jus; pan-fried scallops with cauliflower, celery and apple; and Kames Bay trout served with pickled fennel, samphire and a hot tartare sauce, finished with caviar.
Each dish will highlight the very best of Lancashire produce, supplied by Ribble Farm Fare, underlining the Dunkenhalgh’s commitment to supporting local suppliers.
Sean Noonan is currently spearheading an exciting culinary transformation at the Dunkenhalgh alongside General Manager Nick Parry.
Embracing a fully fresh approach, the kitchen team prepares everything in-house, from breads to finished dishes, setting the hotel apart with its dedication to quality, seasonality and provenance. Significant steps are currently being taken to position the Dunkenhalgh as a centre of culinary excellence within the Mercure group.
Sean’s career has seen him work at a range of prestigious venues including Chester Racecourse, The Mere Golf Resort and Cottons Hotel, as well as closer to home at Mitton Hall in Clitheroe, before bringing his expertise to the Dunkenhalgh over 12 months ago.
Adding even more spice to the day, the Dunkenhalgh will also introduce a brand-new Chilli Challenge to the festival.
This exciting contest will see ten members of the public compete to determine who can handle the heat as the chillies intensify round by round. The challenge will take place at 3:30pm in the main event gazebo, and those brave enough to take part are invited to apply by emailing editor@amazingaccrington.co.uk
Head Chef, Sean Noonan, said: “It is great to showcase what we are good at in the local area. Accrington has got a lot of businesses to shout about and it’s fantastic to get the Dunkenhalgh out there.”
Nick Parry, General Manager at Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be supporting such a fantastic local event. The #AmazingAccrington Food & Drink Festival is a real celebration of the area, its people and its produce and it’s a great opportunity for us to be part of something that brings the whole community together while showcasing the very best of what Lancashire has to offer.”
Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington and Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Dunkenhalgh as a main sponsor for this year’s festival. Their passion for fresh, local food perfectly aligns with what the event is all about. With the introduction of the Chilli Challenge and an exciting line-up of cooking demonstrations, we can’t wait to see everything come together for what promises to be a fantastic day.”
The #AmazingAccrington Food & Drink Festival will once again offer something for everyone, with a wide range of food and drink stalls, a display of military vehicles, live entertainment, fairground rides and plenty more attractions set to fill the town centre.
More exciting plans are set to be announced in the coming weeks, including a special offer for Hyndburn food and drink businesses.
To stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, visit www.amazingaccrington.co.uk
