Tantalising global flavours are cooked up at the Food & Travel Stage as well as inspirational and entertaining speakers sharing their travel tips and greatest adventures.

The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival also present some of the very best travel writers and where you can buy signed and dedicated copies of their latest books.

Food & Travel Stage sponsored by

Travelzoo

2026 STAGE TIMETABLE

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11:00
  1. Taste The World: Carribean Sugar Cake
    Andrew shows how to make a traditional Caribbean confection made from grated coconut, sugar and spices, often in bright colours.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
12:00
  1. Melvyn Mole - Race Across the World: Journey Across China, Nepal and India
    45 mins
    Andrew and Melvyn chat about Melyvn's adventures in Race Across the World in China, Nepal and India. Together they cook Ma Po Tofu which translates as "pockmarked old womans tofu" - a delicious, Chine …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Melvyn Mole
    Melvyn Mole, Race Across The World Contestant
13:00
  1. Ben Aitken- Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities
    45 mins
    Andrew interviews Ben where they discuss his latest book 'Shitty Break: A Celebration of Unsung Cities'.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ben Aitken
    Ben Aitken, Writer
14:00
  1. Sri Lankan Tin Fish with Earth Trip
    45 mins
    Aleem and Andrew cook up a hugely popular, Sri Lankan curry made with tinned fish, usually mackerel or salmon, with onions, tomatoes, chilli, curry powder and coconut milk.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Aleem Raheem
    Aleem Raheem, Co-founder - Earth Trip
15:00
  1. Kesari Kheer with Cal India Travel
    45 mins
    Rahul and Andrew cook up Kesari Kheer, a classic Indian rice pudding.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Rahul Wadhwa
    Rahul Wadhwa, Founder - Cal India Tours & Travels
11:00
  1. Qassatat with Visit Malta
    45 mins
    Marvin and Andrew cook up a delicious shortcrust pastry shaped into small pie baskets with savoury fillings such as ricotta, peas, spinach and anchovies.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Marvin Gauci
    Marvin Gauci - with Visit Malta
    Speaker image for Ursula Gauci
    Ursula Gauci, Cook
12:00
  1. Adventure Awaits: How to Pick the Perfect Solo Escorted Tour
    60 mins
    Presenter and Just You Ambassador Janet Ellis shares how to pick the perfect solo escorted tour.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Janet Ellis
    Janet Ellis, Presenter and Just You Ambassador - Just You
13:00
  1. Chris Moss - Lancashire: Exploring the Historic County that Made the Modern World
    45 mins
    Chris chats to Andrew about his latest book 'Lancashire: Exploring the Historic County that Made the Modern World'.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Chris Moss and Andrew Dickens
    Chris Moss and Andrew Dickens, Writer
14:00
  1. Taste The World: Carribean Sugar Cake
    45 mins
    Andrew shows how to make a traditional Caribbean confection made from grated coconut, sugar and spices, often in bright colours.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
15:00
  1. Ma Po Tofu with Wendy Wu
    45 mins
    Wendy and Andrew cook up Ma Po Tofu translating as "pockmarked old womans tofu" - a delicious, Chinese spicy broth like dish that shows just how good tofu is at taking on amazing flavours.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Wendy Wu
    Wendy Wu, Founder - Wendy Wu Tours
11:00
  1. Taste The World: Carribean Sugar Cake
    45 mins
    Andrew shows how to make a traditional Caribbean confection made from grated coconut, sugar and spices, often in bright colours.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
12:00
  1. Vivienne Crow - Outstanding Walks Lake District
    45 mins
    Vivienne chats to Andrew about her latest book 'Outstanding Walks in Lake District'.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Vivienne Crow
    Vivienne Crow, Writer and Photographer
13:00
  1. Destinations: Where to Go in 2026 and Beyond
    45 mins
    Simon on his top places to explore in 2026 and beyond.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Simon Calder
    Simon Calder, Travel Journalist
14:00
  1. Holiday Hacks for a Great Deal - How to Bag a Great Bargain on Land, Sea or Air with Travelzoo
    60 mins
    Travelzoo share tips and tricks from inside the industry on how to get the best holiday deal and make your money go further, whether you're booking a beach break, cruise, city escape or flight. Discov …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Jack Carter
    Jack Carter, Group Editor - World of Cruising
    Speaker image for Katy Maclure
    Katy Maclure - Jack's Flight Club
    Speaker image for Cat Jordan
    Cat Jordan, Communications Director - Travelzoo
15:00
  1. How to Fly First Class for (Almost) Free
    45 mins
    Join Nicky Kelvin, The Points Guy Editor-at-Large for his latest tips and advice on how to maximise your travel using points and miles ' all whilst helping you save money. From your supermarket shop t …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Nicky Kelvin
    Nicky Kelvin, Editor at large, The Points Guy UK
11:00
  1. Taste The World: Carribean Sugar Cake
    Andrew shows how to make a traditional Caribbean confection made from grated coconut, sugar and spices, often in bright colours.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
12:00
  1. Changes to European Travel in 2026 - Everything You Need to Know
    45 mins
    Matt gives a low-down on the latest changes affecting Brits heading to Europe. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly, and informative chat as Matt explains to Andrew the changes - all while cooking up a Sri Lanka …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Matt Sims
    Matt Sims - Motorhome Matt Podcast
13:00
  1. Adam Weymouth - Lone Wolf
    45 mins
    Andrew interviews Adam about his latest book; 'The Lone Wolf'. A captivating exploration of adventure, nature, and the human spirit. Adam Weymouth talks about his remarkable journey and his new book, …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Adam Weymouth
    Adam Weymouth, Writer and Journalist
14:00
  1. Taste the World: Ma Po Tofu
    45 mins
    Andrew cooks up Ma Po Tofu which translates as "pockmarked old womans tofu", a delicious, Chinese spicy broth like dish whilst discussing her travel experiences.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
15:00
  1. Kesari Kheer with Cal India Travel
    Rahul and Andrew cook up Kesari Kheer, a classic Indian rice pudding.
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andrew Dickens
    Andrew Dickens, Presenter
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Rahul Wadhwa
    Rahul Wadhwa, Founder - Cal India Tours & Travels