BBQ Fest Hitchin 2023 - Happy Days Children's Charity UK

Happy Days BBQ Fest 2023

Fabulous Foodie Fest at the Half Moon Pub Hitchin

Hitchin's first ever BBQ Fest, organised by our friend Claire at Hitchin Foodie was an amazing success in 2023. With more than one hundred attendees, amazing raffle prizes and some of the best food Hitchin has to offer, it really was an event to savour!

The event raised over £4000 to support special days out for local children, which is just incredible. We'll be adding photos of the children's activities below as they happen, so check in from time to time to see our trips gallery and the progress being made on creating smiles.

Our sincerest thank you to everyone that attended, created dishes, donated raffle prizes, bought tickets and made it a truly special day to remember.

Plans for a 2024 event are already underway, so if you'd like get involved or to know when tickets go on sale, email Claire at hitchinfoodie@gmail.com

Sponsored by

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Meet The Dishes

Chicken breast in miso maple glaze, chilli jam chimichurri sauce and Hickory-smoked mayo, served with rocket in a mini brioche bun, with a side of padron peppers

Created by Paul AKA @dappereatsuk who is a wizz on his @grillstream and @prosmokebbq BBQs and the previous owner of @dapperdoghotdogs

Bavette steak
Jalapeño & smoked salt butter
Confit garlic potatoes
Charred black beans & corn
Salsa Asada

The brain behind this incredible dish is Matt @mattmorganskitchen who is one-half of the @cawsburger boys and head chef.

When not cooking up amazing burgers in his restaurant, he loves cooking up tasty treats on the BBQ at home!

Pork loin steaks in a unique Indian marinade, accompanied by a spicy cheese, tomato and onion salad

This dish is the creation of Deesch, one of the @apnapunjab boys, who produce amazing Punjabi vegan food but also banging grilled meat. They have also recently taken over the restaurant in The Bird in Hand pub.

Tepsi kebab, whipped feta, sumac onions, and chilli sauce on flatbread, with Moroccan salad

Dish number four is brought to you by Chris AKA @meat_with_beer , a local foodie & beer-lover, who's a wizz on his Kamado, mostly found in @beershoophitchin and an all round lovely fella!

Meat for the dishes kindly supplied by our supporters at @baldockbutcher

Pork belly & apple slaw on flat bread with cider toffee apple sauce and mustard carrots

Dish number five is brought to you by The dynamic Doctor duo, that is Andrew and Laura AKA @flame_and_dame

They specialise in outdoor 'over fire' cooking and anything they produce packs such a punch of flavou. You REALLY need to try their food!

The Venue

A message from Freddy & Emily...

Having both grown up in Hitchin, we were so excited to have the opportunity to buy The Half Moon back in 2017, and take over this amazing pub that's become famous for its beer festivals! Since taking over our family has grown with the birth of our little boy in 2020. This pub is not just where we work but also our home and for this reason, is a very special place to us.

Formally known as the Newfound Inn it originally opened back in 1748. Since opening this old pub has changed a lot and has become a popular real ale pub, but one thing has always remained, our customers are everything to us and we are so proud to serve the local community of Hitchin.

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