Festival aims to highlight the best of Birmingham food.
The Mailbox’s much-anticipated food festival, Taste of the Mailbox, will return on 3rd-5th August.
Guests can expect a series of expert masterclasses, live demonstrations, exclusive events, and special offers, as well as delicious complimentary food and drink sampling throughout the weekend.
Taste of the Mailbox will also present local foodies with the chance to attend an exciting one-night only pop up with Birmingham’s very own MasterChef contender, Louisa Ellis, on Sunday 5th August. The exclusive collaboration will see the 2017 finalist take residence at Harvey Nichols as she creates some of her favourite dishes from around 
Back by popular demand and kicking off the weekend’s festivities is the Food Tour on Friday 3rd August. For £50 a ticket, guests can indulge in a taste of what the Mailbox has to offer, with an appetising starter and cocktail at Harvey Nichols, delicious main course and wine at Tom’s Kitchen and a delightful dessert with cocktails at Chez Mal in Malmaison.
Whisky lovers can look forward to an intimate tasting experience at Harvey Nichols in collaboration with Birmingham Whisky Club on the Friday evening, where a select group of sixteen are invited to learn all about their favourite flavours, ages and selections of the popular liquor.
On Saturday 4th August, the Mailbox will welcome culinary cult hero, Lap-fai Lee, who will host an Asian Seafood Feast and Masterclass at Kitchen Gallery’s luxurious showroom. Under the trusted supervision of Lap, guests will try their hand at a number of Asian-inspired dishes including scallops, red curry prawns and sushi, before taking a seat in Kitchen Gallery’s sleek dining room and tucking into their seafood banquet.
That day will also include a gin masterclass hosted by Churchill’s. Discover how to perfect the nation’s favourite tipple with this tasting experience in gin and tonic pairings. Learn how to pair a variety of gins with a range of Fever-Tree flavours and gain the tools to create the ultimate G&T at home.
On Sunday 5th August, Lap-fai lee will be back in Kitchen Gallery, this time hosting an exclusive Thai cookery masterclass for eight aspiring foodies. In this hands-on session, guests will learn how to create a variety of Thai-inspired courses including stuffed chicken wings, coconut rice and green curry of king prawns, before taking a seat in the luxury dining room to relax and enjoy their delicious creation.
Prepare your taste buds for a very special viewing of the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Everyman Birmingham on Sunday 5th August. For just £5 per person, visitors can enjoy an exclusive screening of the Roald Dahl classic, whilst being treated to complimentary chocolates during the screening of Willy Wonka’s magical factory.
David Pardoe, head of marketing, retail and tenant engagement at the Mailbox said: “We’re thrilled that Taste of the Mailbox will return again this summer after the success of last year’s festival.
“With our wonderful al fresco canalside bars and restaurants, plus delicious offerings from Tom’s Kitchen, Malmaison and Harvey Nichols, there’s no better time to experience a taste of what the Mailbox has to offer.
“This year’s festival has even more events and offers scheduled across the weekend, making it our biggest Taste of the Mailbox yet. From masterclasses, to pop-up demonstrations and complimentary food sampling, there truly is something to suit everybody across the weekend – whether you’re a novice or a self-confessed foodie.”
For more information and tickets, visit www.mailboxlife.com