Obsession: Is This The UK’s Most Star-Studded Food Festival?

Each year, some of the country’s biggest chefs flock to the Ribble Valley in Lancashire for the renowned culinary festival Obsession. The event is back next January, with a particularly special line-up planned to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Obsession25: What To Expect

Obsession will return from 24 January – 9 February 2025 for one of its most star-studded events yet. Here are the numbers: across 17 nights, 21 chefs with 27 Michelin stars among them will cook up special menus at Northcote, the gourmet hotel which has hosted the festival since its beginnings.

Obsession is helmed by Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who has been Northcote’s executive chef since 2015 – and took over the festival’s reins in 2022. She’ll be kicking off Obsession25 with a five-course dinner paired with wines, carefully selected by Craig Bancroft. Other names set to feature this year include Cal Byerley & Ian Waller, the duo behind Northumberland’s esteemed eatery Pine, Angela Hartnett of London’s Murano, and Yannick Alléno, the French chef behind Pavyllon London at Four Seasons London Park Lane.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen

There will be big names from outside the UK too: Michael Wilson of the Michelin-starred Marguerite in Singapore will be hosting a dinner, as well as Ivor Jones, head chef at Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia in Cape Town.

Each evening will begin with a champagne reception from Louis Roederer, alongside canapes, ahead of an entirely unique menu from the chef, featuring dishes that may not be available anywhere else.

Obsession began in 2001 as a celebration of great food and wine, founded by Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth. Since then, it has grown into one of Europe’s most prestigious culinary events, attracting culinary stars from all over the world.

Cal Byerley & Ian Waller

Goodwin-Allen said: ‘Obsession has an extraordinary history and I feel privileged to have been part of that history since day one.’

She continued: ‘Over the years I’ve seen so many incredible chefs work their magic on the pass and create everlasting memories for our guests. The passion and the excitement of Obsession is infectious. Beyond the incredible food, Obsession is a social gathering for industry professionals and food enthusiasts, it’s a place to network, connect and share a love for outstanding food and wine. Obsession25 is extra special for the team, it’s a major milestone and to celebrate we have invited some of the world’s best chefs to join us. The team is really excited to welcome them and create the magical energy Obsession is famous for.’

Full 2025 Line-Up

• 24 January: Lisa Goodwin Allen, Northcote, Ribble Valley 
• 25 January: Jonny Lake, Trivet, London
• 26 January: Cal Byerley & Ian Walker, Pine, Newcastle upon Tyne 
• 27 January: Rafael Cagali, Da Terra, London 
• 28 January: Miller Prada, Humo, London 
• 29 January: Graeme Cheevers, UNALOME by Graeme Cheevers, Glasgow
• 30 January: Vincent Crepel, Terre, Castlemartyr Resort, Cork
• 31 January: Max Coen, Dorian, London 
• 1 February: Paul Cunningham, Henne Kirkeby Kro, Denmark and Nathan Outlaw: Outlaw’s New Road, Port Isaac 
• 2 February: Angela Hartnett: Murano, London, Neil Borthwick, The French House, London, Mitch Tonks, The Seahorse, Dartmouth
• 3 February: Hélène Darroze & Marco Zampese, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London 
• 4 February: Jean Delport, Interlude, Horsham, Sussex 
• 5 February: Yannick Alléno, Pavyllon, London and Alléno Paris, Paris
• 6 February: Ed Wilson, Brawn, London
• 7 February: Ivor Jones, Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia, Cape Town
• 8 February: Michael Wilson, Marguerite, Singapore, Grand Finale
• 9 February: Alain Roux, The Waterside Inn, Bray 

How To Get Tickets

With only 50 seats available each evening, demand is always very high. The only way you can secure tickets is by applying via the online booking form. Tickets will then be allocated at random. The form is open until 17 November 2024, so get in there quickly. northcoteobsession.com