Held each year at Northcote in the Ribble Valley, Obsession brings together some of the world’s leading chefs for a unique celebration of food, wine, creativity and collaboration. For 2026, the line-up featured 20 world-class chefs with 27 Michelin stars between them, travelling from across the UK, Europe and as far afield as Chicago.
Throughout the festival, 1,698 guests experienced 117 different dishes and 101 expertly matched wines, with each evening offering something completely different. From established culinary names to rising stars, every chef brought their own personality, story and style to the Northcote kitchen.
Founded in 2001, Obsession has grown from an ambitious culinary gathering into an internationally recognised fixture in the food calendar. Now in its 26th year, the event continues to honour its original spirit: bringing remarkable chefs, outstanding wines and passionate guests together for a truly memorable experience.
New for 2026, Northcote also launched the Northcote Obsession Podcast on YouTube, hosted by Chef Patron-Director Lisa Goodwin-Allen. The series offered a behind-the-scenes look at the festival, with visiting chefs sharing the stories behind their restaurants, their dishes and what it feels like to cook at Obsession.
Episodes featured chefs including Angelo Sato of Humble Chicken, Damien Grey of Liath, Jason Atherton, Spencer Metzger, John Williams MBE, Adam Byatt and Phil Howard. The series also introduced the now-viral ‘Tweeze the Peas’ challenge, with Bas van Kranen of Flore, Amsterdam, crowned the winner.
Speaking about the podcast, Lisa Goodwin-Allen said:
“We wanted to do something a little bit different this year. We’re always looking at how we can improve Obsession and with the podcast we thought it would be great to really get under the skin of the chefs, find out what inspires them and have a bit of fun along the way.”
A sell-out success once again, Obsession’26 celebrated everything that makes Northcote such a special food-led destination: exceptional cooking, warm hospitality, brilliant wines and a real sense of occasion.
All episodes of the Northcote Obsession Podcast are available to watch now on the Northcote YouTube channel.
