The first ever Waitrose Drinks Festival will take place in London on the 16th and 17th September. Celebrating the best food and drink available at Waitrose, the festival will be open to the public and will include masterclasses, workshops and a rooftop BBQ.

With over 200 Waitrose drinks producers taking part at the Institute of Engineering and Technology in London, the various themed rooms will offer plenty of opportunity for guests to sample a huge range of spirits, beers, ciders and wines, as well as an extensive selection of speciality foods.

There will be wines, sparkling wines and Champagne from all over the world and guests can taste a wide variety, from New Zealand Sauvignon (including The Ned) to top Bordeaux, and a few surprises in between. There will also be a wide range of English wines on offer. Premium spirit brands will be showcasing top dark spirits; whisky, rum, bourbon, brandy, cognacs and liqueurs alongside the botanical world of the light spirits featuring gin, vodka and cocktails. There will also be a wide range of locally produced beer at a designated bar, as well as ciders from the English countryside which will be featured in the adjoining 'orchard' room.

Confirmed suppliers include Hobgoblin, Meantime, Chase, Pedrino, Heineken and Sipsmith, with the roof terrace offering bars hosted by Goose Island Vodka, Codorniu Cavas and Mirabeau. The Waitrose Cookery School will be demonstrating dishes, with drink matches provided by 'There's a Beer for That', and Spanish producers Gonzales Byass. Murray Barlow, winemaker at Rustenberg, Green and Black's and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust will also be at the festival, sharing their expertise during various showcases.

Anne Jones, Category Manager, Wines, Beers and Spirits, says, 'We've been wanting to do a customer event, with our favourite food and drink suppliers, for such a long time. It's incredibly exciting that it's finally happening. Our close relationship with suppliers means that we are able to open a fantastic range of tasting rooms, to provide Waitrose fans with the opportunity to try highlights from all of our ranges under one roof.'

The website for booking tickets in now live at www.waitrosedrinksfestival.com. Tickets are £25 per session until 14th August, and £30 thereafter, with an additional cost for masterclasses and workshops.

Festival highlights

Make Your Own Gin

Audemus Pink Peppercorn Gin will be hosting an exciting Gin Masterclass. All gins made during the festival by guests will be judged by an expert panel and  the winning gin will be available on Waitrosecellar.com later in the year.

Speciality Food

From charcuterie to cheese, breads to deli items – there is the chance to sample Waitrose's exclusive, speciality food ranges. Waitrose food experts will be present to advise and educate on the food on offer and advise which drinks they would match perfectly with.

Rooftop Cocktail Bar

At the top of the venue, on the fifth floor, is a panoramic terrace which takes in the sights of the London skyline including Big Ben, the London Eye, the city, Canary Wharf and St. Paul's. It's a truly breathtaking space perfect for a cocktail bar session whilst the sun sets. Guests can also enjoy the fantastic Waitrose BBQ. Limited tickets available.

Waitrose Expert Tours

These intimate tours allow guests to plan their day and explore the Drinks Festival from a specific point of view. Waitrose experts will run through each group's requirements and walk the festival highlighting their recommendations and top picks within the chosen field.

ENDS

Bethan Davies
Senior Press Officer, Consumer
Waitrose
Direct line: 01344 825025
Press Office: 01344 825080
Blackberry: 07730 303817
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL: bethan.davies@waitrose.co.uk
Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YA
www.waitrose.com/press

Waitrose - winner of the Best Supermarket¹ and Best Food and Grocery Retailer² awards - currently has 350 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 61 convenience branches, and another 27 shops at Welcome Break locations. It combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop - dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced, combined with high standards of customer service. Waitrose also exports its products to 58 countries worldwide and has seven shops which operate under licence in the Middle East. Waitrose's omnichannel business includes the online grocery service, Waitrose.com, as well as specialist online shops including waitrosecellar.com for wine, and waitrosekitchen.com for cookware, utensils and kitchen gadgets.  
¹Which? Customer survey
²Verdict Customer Satisfaction Awards