A Taste of Winchester, the district’s two-week celebration of food and drink, came to a delicious finale last Sunday with a sell-out community lunch at Bar Lento. Now in its second year, the festival featured over 30 events, special menus, collaborations, and exclusive offers designed to showcase the very best of local hospitality and produce.
Organised by Winchester BID, supported by Visit Winchester at Winchester City Council, and sponsored by John D Wood & Co, A Taste of Winchester shone a light on the city’s thriving food and drink scene and encouraged both residents and visitors to discover new favourites.
At St James Tavern, licensee James Bennet was keen to demonstrate the value of keeping things local: “At The St James Tavern, we created a five-course tasting menu and daily specials to introduce people to the many ingredients we grow ourselves or source from nearby producers. There’s so much quality on our doorstep, and it’s been fantastic to share that with diners. These two weeks have been incredible for us. Not only did our event turn into the second busiest day we’ve had all year, but the whole fortnight was busier than I’d expect at this time. The extra publicity reminded locals we’re here and brought in so many new faces. We even welcomed people from Basingstoke and Southampton who had never visited before, which was terrific.”
Other highlights included:
- The Winchester Hotel and Spa sold 74 of their special Alfred burgers, which raised £222 for charity.
- Kyoto Kitchen devised a five-course set menu blending Hampshire produce with Japanese flair.
- 5 Boroughs Pizza served up a Mr Darcy pizza featuring Hampshire sausage and local watercress with a cheeky nod to Jane Austen.
- The Pizza Tavern’s calzone weekend proved so popular that the folded pizza is now a permanent feature on their menu.
The final event, a long, lazy Sunday Feast, at Bar Lento was such a success that a second sitting had to be added. Guests were welcomed with glasses of local Candover Brook English sparkling wine. They enjoyed a menu that celebrated both Spanish dishes and produce from other Winchester favourites, including Sushi 21 and Røst. Local suppliers such as Two&One Olive Oil and Isle of Wight Tomatoes were proudly showcased, alongside wines and tasting notes from Stone Vine & Sun.
Sarah Strangeway, owner of Bar Lento, said: “It was such a lovely way to bring people together. Seeing so many faces, regulars and new guests alike, all enjoying local and Spanish food and wine, in our beautiful garden, was exactly what we hoped for. The atmosphere was joyful”.
Paul Spencer, Executive Director at Winchester BID, reflected on the success: “It’s been fantastic to see so many businesses come together to create something special. A Taste of Winchester truly demonstrated the strength and creativity of our local hospitality scene. Winchester BID is proud to have produced an event that not only celebrates local food and drink but also boosts footfall and encourages people to discover all that Winchester has to offer. By running alongside other brilliant events like the Winchester Garden Festival, Fizz Fest, Winchester Beer & Cider Festival, and the Hat Fair, we were able to create a truly vibrant summer programme that encouraged people to spend more time in the city and discover something new each day. We look forward to seeing A Taste of Winchester become even bigger in 2026”.
Cllr Lucille Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Business and Culture at Winchester City Council, said: “A Taste of Winchester is a brilliant example of collaboration in action. It celebrates the diversity and quality of our district’s food and drink offer while supporting the local businesses that make Winchester such a vibrant place. It’s wonderful to see the community come together to share these experiences and showcase our culinary talent.”
Rupert Provost, of sponsors John D Wood & Co, commented: “We’re delighted to have supported A Taste of Winchester. It’s a wonderful celebration of the hospitality businesses that give our area its unique character. Winchester isn’t just a beautiful place to live; it’s where communities are formed, memories are made, and experiences are shared. Food is at the heart of all that.”
Miranda Rocksmith, who curated the event, added: “I’m glad to see A Taste of Winchester becoming a permanent fixture in the city’s calendar. There’s such an appetite, no pun intended, for events that bring people together around food and drink, and this fortnight has shown just how much can be achieved when the community and local businesses collaborate.”
A Taste of Winchester 2026 will take place from 22 June to 5 July.
To find out more, follow @atasteofwinchester on Instagram and Facebook or visit atasteofwinchester.co.uk.
