Michelin-starred chefs & MasterChef champion announced in line-up for week-long Lancashire food festival
Fusion 3 is working in collaboration with Action Against Hunger, with proceeds from the festival auction going directly to supporting the charity.
The line up for this year’s Fusion food festival in the Ribble Valley has been announced.
The brainchild of acclaimed chef Nigel Howarth, the celebration of British food and wine takes place his Three Fishes restaurant in Mitton, from October 13 to 18.
The week-long celebration brings together celebrated chefs for a series of exclusive tasting menus, wine pairings and intimate dining experiences, all designed to explore the synergy between British and global cuisines.
Each evening, a celebrated guest chef joins Nigel to create an exclusive five-course tasting menu, paired with expertly selected wines. Previous editions have sold out entirely.
The 2026 line up
Kirk Haworth - October 13.
Kirk learned the basics over a five-year apprenticeship at Northcote, where his father Nigel was head chef, and won North West Young Chef of the Year at 17. Almost two decades in Michelin-starred kitchens followed — among them The French Laundry, Restaurant Sat Bains, The Square and Quay in Sydney. A Lyme disease diagnosis in 2016 turned him towards plant-based cooking in pursuit of his own health, and he has since become a defining figure in the field: Plates, the London restaurant he runs with his sister Keeley, is the first vegan restaurant in the UK to hold a Michelin star. In 2024 he became the first plant-based chef to compete on Great British Menu — and won it, taking the Champion of Champions title.
Nigel Haworth - October 14
Chef Patron of The Three Fishes and the curator of Fusion, Nigel marks 50 years in the industry in 2026. His career has been built on Lancashire produce and long relationships with the people who grow it — a Farm to Fork philosophy that today runs from the pub’s own one-acre kitchen garden straight to the plate.
Sabrina Gidda - October 15
Sabrina swapped fashion PR for the kitchen and never looked back. Twice a finalist among the UK’s top six Roux Scholarship contestants — the only woman to reach that stage both times — she went on to help shape Bernardi’s in Marylebone, earning Tatler’s ‘Rising Star’ in 2016 for her bold take on Italian cooking. She now runs her own consultancy, championing women in food and hospitality while delivering standout concepts for an impressive roster of clients. She is the author of Modern South Asian Kitchen (Quadrille, 2023), co-host of the Served with Purpose podcast, a Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Academician and Consultant Chef for Vacherin.
Tom Parker - October 16
Tom’s culinary journey began at just 16, when he joined Nigel Haworth at Northcote, going on to become the youngest ever sous chef there. He returned to his home county to take the helm at The White Swan at Fence, where he leads the Michelin-starred kitchen. A proud Lancashire chef, his cooking is rooted in the finest local and seasonal produce, combining classical technique with a modern, creative approach. He has also represented the North West on Great British Menu.
Ping Coombes - October 17
Ping is a two-time MasterChef champion, first winning the competition in 2014 with her vibrant Malaysian cooking, before returning in 2022 to become the first ever MasterChef Champion of Champions. Born and raised in Ipoh, Malaysia, she draws inspiration from her mother’s cooking and her rich culinary heritage, creating modern dishes that celebrate the bold, distinctive flavours of Malaysia. Her debut book MALAYSIA became an Amazon bestseller, and her second, RICE, was released earlier this year.
To Finish · Sunday 18th October
Jazz Brunch. Curated by Nigel Haworth and the team, the week closes with live music and a Southern-inspired menu.
Fusion 3 is working in collaboration with Action Against Hunger. Proceeds from the festival auction will go directly to supporting this vital charity.