Hands up for grub: this month’s best food and drink events

From oyster-eating competitions to hotdogs galore and boozy-booze, there is plenty tasty awaiting under your nose this summer

Vote of confidence: barbecues aside, Grillstock runs its own battle of the bands with more than 200 entries

Grillstock, Bristol, 1-2 July

It’s all about the meat – and not for the faint-hearted. At this US-style two-day “low’n’slow” barbecue competition, teams battle out seven rounds to be crowned “King of the Grill 2017”. If that’s not enough, there’s an eating contest – including hotdogs, hot wings and chilli peppers. And new for this year is the Stockyard rodeo – just don’t go on after the eating competition. Buy tickets at grillstock.co.uk

Eat Drink Ealing, 1-2 July

Saucy: flavoured liqueurs, vinegars and chilli sauces from Mighty Fine Things

Set on Ealing Common in west London, the festival showcases cuisine from around the world – from Venezuelan to Vietnamese. There’s local produce to buy from farmers’ markets and stalls including the Tom Henry cheese, Sylvia & Terry fine Kentish chocolates and sauces from Mighty Fine Things. Entry is £4.

Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival, 8-9 July

Quay decision: the seafood festival raises money for a fishermen’s charity

Pommery Dorset is the largest festival dedicated to seafood in the country and it’s celebrating its 10th year. Set around the harbour, it’s free and full of big names from Duck & Waffle’s Dan Doherty and 100 street food stalls serving up their best. Funds raised from the event go to charity The Fishermen’s Mission, which supports fishermen and their families. Visit dorsetseafood.co.uk

Just V Show, 8-10 July

V for veg: meat fiends would do well to come here to repent

The V is for vegan and vegetarian – obvs – but this festival is for everyone, including the part-timers and full of food and drink, tips, hacks and advice. And for those teetering on the edge of being “V”, there are cooking classes to ease you, as well as tasters from well-known vegan brands including Rebel Kitchen and Aduna. And for all those unanswered questions, chat to both the Vegetarian Society and Vegan Society. Tickets are £10 and free for under-16s. To book visit: justvshow.co.uk

Essex Festival of Food & Drink, 15-16 July

What’s cooking: there’s something for everyone at Essex

Now in its seventh year, this year’s Essex highlights are James Martin and Nadiya Hussain on the main cookery stage. There will also be talks, tutored tasting, free cookery classes for kids and of course tasting, with more than 150 artisan producers which all takes places in an medieval moated farmstead. Tickets are £8 from 2017essexfestivaloffoodanddrink.apteventspro.co.uk/

Whitstable Oyster Festival, 22-24 July

Shelling out: if you like oysters, this is the place to be

Despite this year’s festival being only three days instead of the usual 10, all the favourite events are still there from the traditional and ceremonial “landing of the oysters” (bless the first catch of the season), an oyster-eating competition (fastest to finish half a dozen), the Mud Tug tug-of-war, treasure hunt and festival finale comprising the much-loved Grotters – Grotters are oyster shell monsters visitors create using shells. Saturday’s oyster food fair offers up some of the freshest and best seafood from the area along with craft beer and cider.