June will hurtle past and in no time it'll be July and time for this year's fabulous Lymington Seafood Festival.
And to mark 10 years of Cambium, Careys Manor Hotel is teaming up with the Festival to find the New Forest’s most talented amateur chef. Plus the brilliant Careys Chefs will be presenting fabulous live cooking demos.
Read on.
If You Love Cooking - Give it a Go!
Showcasing New Forest’s Best at Lymington Seafood Festival
Just 13 minutes from Careys Manor, the Lymington Seafood Festival (11th–13th July) is a true summer gem in the New Forest calendar. Picture fresh-off-the-boat seafood, live music, local tipples, and a lively seaside atmosphere – all right by the coast. And this year, it’s not just about indulging in great food – it’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in the kitchen too.
Big Careys Cook Off – Fancy Giving It a Go?
To mark 10 years of Cambium, Careys Manor is teaming up with the Lymington Seafood Festival to find the New Forest’s most talented amateur chef. If you love cooking and have a passion for local flavours, this is your chance to step into the spotlight, show off your skills, and compete for the crown in the very first Big Careys Cook Off.
Open to enthusiastic home cooks, the challenge is to create a dish that celebrates the vibrant flavours of the New Forest. Whether you’re a stickler for technique or someone who likes to cook with bold, imaginative flair, this is your opportunity to shine using the best local, seasonal ingredients.
Finalist’s dishes will be judged by an expert panel, including Cambium’s Head Chef Dylan James and TV food favourite Chris Bavin — so expect a fun, lively atmosphere with plenty of encouragement and expert feedback.
The winner will be crowned Big Careys Cook Off Champion, receive a prize bundle worth over £400, and earn some serious bragging rights across the region.
If you’re ready to take on the challenge, don’t miss this chance to be part of a delicious celebration of food, community, and a decade of Cambium’s culinary journey.
Find Out More
Live at the Festival: Culinary Showcases with Dylan & Songkiat
It’s not just The Big Careys Cook Off to get excited about. Across the weekend, festival-goers will be treated to live cooking demos by not one but two of Careys Manor’s Head Chefs.
Dylan James, Head Chef at Cambium - Saturday 12th July - 3.40pm – 4.15pm
Since joining the team in 2018, Dylan has been leading the kitchen with creativity, precision and a calm, confident hand. His journey into fine dining began with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Diploma, which paved the way to a position at the prestigious Goring Hotel – cooking for the occasional royal guest, no less. He later honed his skills in the food-rich region of Cognac, France, before returning to the UK to work alongside celebrated chef Michael Caines at Lympstone Manor. Expect his demo to reflect the best of forest, coast and countryside – elegant dishes with seasonal flair, presented in Dylan’s laid-back but polished style.
Songkiat Surin, Head Chef at Zen Garden - Sunday 13th July - 2.45pm – 3.20pm
With roots in Tel Aviv and Thailand, Songkiat’s career has taken him from five-star resorts like the Royal Cliff Beach and Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit to UK kitchens including Bann Thai in Worcester and Daylesford Organic Farm. He first joined Zen Garden back in 2013, returning as Head Chef last year to lead the restaurant. His demo will be a vibrant celebration of Thai cuisine – blending traditional techniques with fresh, modern twists. Think bold flavours, colourful plating, and plenty of inspiration for your own kitchen experiments.
Come for the Food, Stay for the Fun
Whether you're in it for the cook-off, the chefs, live music or just the excuse to eat some of the finest seafood the south coast has to offer, the Lymington Seafood Festival is a laid-back, lip-smacking way to spend your weekend.
Grab your tickets early – they do sell out!
Book Here
Make a Weekend of It with a Stay at Careys Manor
Why rush? Turn your festival visit into a full weekend escape with a stay at Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa. After a day spent sampling fresh seafood, sipping local fizz and soaking up the buzz at Lymington Seafood Festival, retreat to the calm of our countryside hideaway.
Book Your Stay
Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa luxury spa hotel in Brockenhurst
From royal hunting lodge to state-of-the-art spa, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa is an adult’s retreat that’s steeped in history and keeps its rich heritage at heart.
