Obsession festival draws culinary stars to England’s north

Obsession, Northcote’s annual food festival, sponsored by S.Pellegrino, makes its return to Lancashire from 19 January to 4 February 2024, proving once again that not all stellar food events take place in London. 

In its 24th year, the festival, which draws some of European gastronomy’s biggest names to Langho in the Ribble Valley, will once again charge chefs with creating a unique Obsession menu, to be served to north England foodies over 17 days, with over 10,000 plates expertly cooked and enjoyed.  

With the spotlight shining on the UK’s food destinations far from the bright lights of London in 2024, Obsession kicks off the year in style with a roll call of 19 world renowned chefs with a total of 24 Michelin stars between them, to equal any gastronomic gathering across Europe.  

The festival is organised and curated by Lisa Goodwin-Allen (pictured), Executive Chef of Northcote Hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Goodwin-Allen, who was a mentor at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition last year, will open the festival with her dedicated night on 19 January, previewing Northcote’s forthcoming Gourmet Menu. 

The next night will see chef Alex Greene of one-Michelin-starred Deanes EIPIC in Belfast take over the kitchen, followed by Gareth Ward, of two-Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales on Sunday 21 January. The stage is then set for one of the festival's highlights, Tom Barnes of three-Michelin-starred L'Enclume on Monday 22nd. 

Other stellar attractions include Lorna McNee of Cail Bruich (one star), Glasgow; Aktar Islam of Opheem (one star), Birmingham; James Knappett of two-Michelin-starred Kitchen Table, London; and Tom Shepherd of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (one star), Staffordshire. 

As always, Obsession plays host to international guest chefs and this year, those shoes are filled by Alex Tsiotinis of CTC, Athens (one star); Daniele Lippi of two-Michelin-starred Acquolina in Rome; and Henrique Sá Pessoa of two-Michelin-starred Alma in Lisbon. Obsession will close on 4 February with a grand finale, featuring Michel Roux Jr. of the soon to close London fine-dining institution La Gavroche and his daughter Emily Roux of Caractère. 

Over two decades, Obsession has gone from strength to strength, with this year’s festival already sold out and a waiting list of thousands, proving the northwest of England's insatiable appetite for fine dining, fine food, wines and creative culinary talent. Speaking about the event, Goodwin-Allen said: “Each year we approach Obsession with a view of ‘How can we equal last year’s event?’ and it always seems like an impossible task. But I have to say I’m extremely excited for this year’s line-up. We have a range of styles of cooking – diverse, traditional, progressive, highly technical – and it’s packed with personality. 

“The fact that each year is a sell out just shows there is still an appetite for fine dining and an exclusive experience," she continued. "And let’s not forget the money raised for charity, last year broke the record yet again, with over £70,000 raised for Hospitality Action, which will be our beneficiary again this year.” 

Would you like to win a luxury Obsession experience for two, including a five-course Michelin star dinner, complete with a Champagne reception, wine pairings and a night’s stay with breakfast at Northcote? Find out more here.