New for 2026, the festival will run biannually in April and October each year, aiming to boost tourism during the shoulder months and position Guernsey as a leading foodie destination.
A varied programme of food-led events has already been confirmed, with many more in the final stages of planning. These will take place across the Bailiwick, inviting visitors to explore the Islands of Guernsey. The arrival of the Breton Market over Easter’s long weekend (Fri 3 – Mon 6 April) will signal the beginning of a month-long celebration of local food and drink.
New events already confirmed to take place include, but are not exclusive to:
• The Guernsey Grande Fromage Tour across multiple St Peter Port venues
• Foraging and fine dining experiences
• Cycle and safari tours around our hedge veg stalls
• Farm to table dinners
• Opportunities to meet local and visiting food enthusiasts and chefs
More than 40 events and menus have already been confirmed with Festival menus focusing on celebrating local produce. VisitGuernsey is encouraging anyone yet to sign up to get in touch.
'The Big Eat Guernsey' will feature two components:
• Month-long festival menus – Participating local eateries will offer exclusive set menus showcasing Guernsey’s finest ingredients, including dairy and seafood. These menus will be specially crafted for the festival, offering diners a unique taste of the Bailiwick.
• Long weekend themed food events – A series of immersive experiences will pair food with Guernsey’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, with local stakeholders hosting or collaborating on a bespoke experience for their customers.
The themes for April 2026 are:
o Meet the Locals
o The Great Outdoors
o Foraging & Fine Dining
o French Connections
The Breton Markets will come to Guernsey over the first weekend of April, Easter Weekend, for the first time. This follows the success of the return of the Normandy Markets last year.
Deputy Lee Van Katwyk, Tourism Lead for the Committee for Economic Development, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the Breton Markets as part of the Big Eat initiative, bringing a flavour of France right to the heart of St Peter Port. Not only is this great for visitors, but it is also something we know locals enjoy. Town retailers also see the benefits of the central location. We know from the Guernsey Retail Group there was a significant increase in footfall in Town, when the Normandy Markets visited in October last year.”
As part of this latest initiative, the ‘Big Eat’ industry working group has been formed to coordinate with key local stakeholders and ensure the biannual events’ long-term success. The group’s members are as follows – with the Chef at Vraic, Nathan Davies, providing additional support:
• Zoe Gosling – Lead Marketing Officer, States of Guernsey
• Bori Halasz – Marketing & Events Officer, States of Guernsey
• Natalie Davidson – Event Director, ND Events
• Steve Le Poidevin – Owner, Balthazar Seafood, Bar & Grill
• Andrew Chantrell – General Manager, Old Government House Hotel & Spa
• Sam Jarrold – Managing Director, Fukku Izakaya
• Rauls Silts – Operations Director, Randalls of Guernsey
The food festival is launched as three Guernsey restaurants are named in the 2025 Michelin Guide - Vraic, Alba and Fukku.
Zoe Gosling, Lead Marketing Officer for the States of Guernsey, said:
“It’s widely acknowledged that the quality and choice of our food and drink offering here in the Islands is exceptional. The global food tourism market is currently worth billions, and more travellers than ever are seeking food experiences that connect them to the destination they’re visiting. By drawing on the experience of industry, and offering support and working collaboratively to coordinate events, we have all the ingredients of a first-class product – offering an authentic experience to an off-Island audience.
“We are thrilled to have the support of key industry stakeholders, which is critical in ensuring any kind of long-term success and put the Islands of Guernsey on every food traveller’s wish list.”
Member of the Big Eat working group, Rauls Silts, added:
“The Big Eat is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the depth and quality of Guernsey’s food scene. It brings together our hospitality community to celebrate local produce, local talent, and the shared experiences that make dining in the islands truly special.”
Sam Jarrold from Fukku also added:
“Our local food scene is definitely on the rise, reaching new heights, and this festival is a wonderful way to celebrate the incredible venues and produce we have to offer.”
All the events, activities, and menus will be hosted on a new bespoke website The Big Eat Guernsey Food Festival. VisitGuernsey will promote the Big Eat as part of its marketing and PR plan for 2026, focusing on bringing food-focused journalists and influencers over to the Islands.
The Festival has already featured in Wanderlust’s The Good to Go List 2026, in the ‘Too good to miss: Tasty adventures’ category*, labelling Guernsey as a ‘culinary sweet spot’, highlighting The Big Eat as an exciting new festival. It was also highlighted in the Travel section of The Telegraph** last week, stating that Guernsey was luring young food enthusiasts.
It’s not too late to get involved. Contact Bori on Borbala.Halasz@gov.gg.
*Tasty Destinations || Good to Go List 2026 - Wanderlust
**These Channel Islands are luring their lost tourists back from budget Europe breaks
