Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 May 2026
ClassicsFest 2026: Food & Feasting in Antiquity
A collaboration between the Lit & Phil and the School of History, Classics &
Archaeology at Newcastle University
Ancient Roman recipes, wine tasting, theatrical performances and discussions about
hospitality are all part of ClassicsFest 2026: Food & Feasting in Antiquity, taking place in
Newcastle from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 May 2026.
Hosted by the Lit & Phil in collaboration with Newcastle University’s School of History,
Classics and Archaeology, the festival brings together historians, chefs, writers, performers
and academics to explore how food shaped life in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds –
from politics and social status to hospitality and everyday domestic life.
Founded by producer and director Cinzia Hardy, ClassicsFest continues its mission to make
the ancient world accessible to modern audiences through a lively programme of talks,
performances, and discussions.
The 2026 festival focuses on food, wine and domestic life in antiquity. Audiences will
discover what the Greeks and Romans ate and drank, how meals were prepared and
shared, and how food traditions helped shape communities across the ancient
Mediterranean.
As Cinzia Hardy, producer of ClassicsFest, explains:
“Food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with the past. Through cooking,
storytelling and shared meals we can experience the ancient world in a vivid and tangible
way. ClassicsFest 2026 invites audiences to explore the flavours, rituals and meanings of
food in Greek and Roman culture, while also reflecting on how these traditions continue to
shape the way we eat and gather today.”
The festival opens on Thursday 14 May with a series of talks exploring the politics and
culture of food in the ancient world. Roman Recipes for Modern Cooks is a chance to join
chef and food historian Sally Grainger as she discusses the recreation of Roman dishes
from her new book alongside cookery specialist Karen Phillips and Roman historian Dr
Kathryn Tempest. Audience members will also be able to taste dishes inspired by ancient
recipes.
On Friday 15 May, the festival turns to the history and culture of wine. Wine From Antiquity
to Now, chaired by Professor Athanassios Vergados, brings together experts including Dr
Emlyn Dodd, Dr Eva Falaschi, Professor Barry Smith and Dr David Harker to explore how
wine was produced and enjoyed in the ancient world, followed by a tasting of wines inspired
by classical traditions.
The festival also features theatre, with Great Granda Apicius, a new play by Abby Walker,
directed by Ed Cole, taking to the stage at Alphabetti Theatre on Friday 15 and Saturday 16
May. Inspired by the famous Roman cookbook attributed to Apicius, this production is the
winner of the ClassicsFest 2026 Playwriting Competition.
Events continue throughout Saturday 16 May, offering visitors the chance to make a day of
it, with talks, demonstrations, performances and hands-on tastings running from late
morning through to early evening. One of the day’s highlights is Trimalchio’s Dinner Party
at Tyneside Cinema, a theatrical reimagining of the extravagant banquet described in
Roman novel The Satyricon. Written by Kirsten Luckins and performed by professional
actors, the performance unfolds around the audience as they enjoy afternoon tea, recreating
the chaotic atmosphere of one of antiquity’s most notorious fictional feasts. Roman historian
Dr Kathryn Tempest introduces the original text before the afternoon concludes with a
screening of Federico Fellini’s 1969 film Satyricon.
Across the festival, speakers will explore the wider cultural meaning of food in the ancient
world. Topics include the politics of food supply in Rome, the roles of cooks in Greek and
Roman society, and the idea of xenia – the Greek tradition of hospitality to strangers.
The festival closes with Food & Hospitality from Antiquity to Today, a lively discussion
with Professor Athanassios Vergados, chef Archie Smith from Seven Bridges Café,
anthropologists Professor James Staples and Professor Luke Heslop (co-producers of The
Migration Menu), and writer Laura Coffey. The event explores the ancient concept of xenia,
the sacred duty of hospitality, and reflects on how sharing food continues to shape ideas of
welcome, belonging and community today. Alongside conversation and audience
discussion, guests will enjoy food inspired by the themes of the event.
Festival events take place across several venues in Newcastle, including the Lit & Phil, the
Great North Museum: Hancock, the Tyneside Cinema and Alphabetti Theatre.
Kay Easson, Chief Librarian at the Lit & Phil, added: “ClassicsFest continues to grow as a distinctive cultural event in the North East, bringing
together scholarship, creativity and public engagement. This year’s focus on food and
hospitality offers a great opportunity to explore how everyday practices in the ancient world
can still speak to modern audiences.”
In the weeks leading up to the festival, the Lit & Phil will host a series of satellite lectures
exploring food in classical art, medicine and life on Hadrian’s Wall.
Most events at ClassicsFest 2026 are free, with some charged events including tastings,
food samples or performances. All events require advance booking.
Tickets can be booked online at www.litandphil.org.uk or via bit.ly/ClassicsFest2026, or by
contacting the Lit & Phil on (0191) 232 0192.
ClassicsFest 2026 has been made possible thanks to support from The Community
Foundation North East – Newcastle Culture Investment Fund, The David Family Foundation,
The Leche Trust, Classics for All North, The Institute of Classical Studies, The Gillian
Dickinson Trust, The Roman Society, The Classical Association, The Hellenic Society, the
Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at
Newcastle University and the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham
University.