The Big Brine - East London’s new festival celebrating all things pickled, fermented & brined

A bold new food festival celebrating the vibrant world of pickling, fermentation and brining is set to make its debut in East London this September.

The Big Brine, headline sponsored by Vadasz, will take over Hackney Bridge on 12 and 13 September 2026, bringing together some of the UK’s leading fermenters, picklers, chefs and food and drink innovators for a weekend packed with flavour, creativity and good vibes.

Hosted at the fully accessible Hackney Bridge (Units 1–28, Echo Building, East Bay Lane, London E15 2SJ), the festival will shine a spotlight on the growing cultural and culinary movement around preservation, showcasing everything from traditional pickling techniques to bold, contemporary dishes inspired by the art of brining.

Visitors can expect a packed programme of live chef demonstrations, interactive workshops, tastings and music, alongside a curated selection of exciting producers and food talent from across the UK.

From getting hands-on with Nick Vadasz, AKA The Picklesman, an expert voice in pickling and fermentation, to discovering dishes created by chefs from some of the UK’s most exciting restaurants, The Big Brine promises a sensory journey into one of the most intriguing corners of modern food culture.

A PICKLE-INSPIRED RESTAURANT LINE-UP

The festival will feature a strong restaurant line-up, with Gracey’s Pizza, Brindisa, Freak Scene and Lardo each serving specially created dishes exclusively for The Big Brine.

Expect bold flavours, unexpected combinations and plenty of briny twists as some of the UK’s most exciting food names put their own spin on pickling, fermentation and preservation.

DEMOS, WORKSHOPS & EXPERTS

The dedicated Demo Stage, hosted by Ayala Daly, will feature an exciting line-up of chefs and food personalities sharing their expertise and creativity. Guests will include Gizzi Erskine, James Peck, Mursal Saiq, Scott Hollingsworth and Kenji Morimoto, with demonstrations exploring fermentation, preservation, brining and creative ways to incorporate bold flavours into everyday cooking.

For those who want to get hands-on, a series of interactive workshops will give visitors the chance to learn the craft for themselves. The programme will include Brine Bread with David Wright, Soggy Crisps, a special session with Brindisa and Ayala Daly, and a pickle masterclass with MasterChef finalist Kirsten Dodd, with further workshop details to be announced.

FOOD, DRINK & FESTIVAL VIBES

Alongside the food, The Big Brine will bring a lively festival atmosphere, with DJs, music, special guest appearances and foodie personalities adding to the celebration.

The festival is also collaborating with exciting brands including headline sponsor Vadasz, as well as Sylt, Bloody Drinks, Shedletsky’s and Stiff Tea, alongside a number of one-off brand collaborations created especially for the event.

These partnerships will deliver exclusive dishes, drinks and experiences that can only be found at The Big Brine — from picklebacks with Jameson, to Cornish sea salt margaritas with Altos and exceptional Bloody Marys made with Absolut.

On Saturday night, the festival will turn up the energy with a special after-party featuring DJs and drag queens, transforming Hackney Bridge into a late-night celebration of food, culture and community.

FESTIVAL SESSIONS

The Big Brine will run across three sessions:

Saturday 12 September: 11:30–16:30

Saturday 12 September – Evening Session: 17:30–22:30

Sunday 13 September: 12:00–17:00

Tickets are priced at £22.50 and available at www.thebigbrinelondon.com.

With its mix of food culture, education, entertainment and community, The Big Brine aims to become the UK’s ultimate gathering for pickle and fermentation lovers, curious foodies and anyone who enjoys bold flavours and great vibes.