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Shrewsbury residents are being invited to sample the Tastes of Asia, a brand-new food event bringing together authentic flavours from across Asia for an afternoon of food, culture and community.
Hosted by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Bernie Bentick, the event takes place at Smithy’s Bar at Shrewsbury Town Football Club on Sunday 18 October, with doors open from 12 noon until 6pm.
Residents can arrive at any time during the six-hour window, meaning there is no need to spend the whole afternoon at the event. Tickets allow visitors to drop in, enjoy some food and drink, try something new and soak up the atmosphere at a time that suits them.
Tastes of Asia will bring together a selection of local community groups and food providers, offering residents the opportunity to sample dishes from Thai, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Indian, Sri Lankan and Turkish cuisines.
The dishes will be served in sample-sized portions, allowing guests to try a variety of different flavours rather than committing to a full meal.
What do you get for your £20 ticket?
Tickets cost £20 per person, with £10 of that ticket price returned to you as food and drink tokens to spend at the event.
The tokens can be used to sample the different dishes and drinks available. For example, your initial £10 could buy you a drink plus a couple of sample dishes, with individual dishes expected to cost around £2 to £4 worth of tokens, depending on what you choose.
If you want to sample more food dishes, additional food and drink tokens can be purchased at the event, giving guests the flexibility of sampling as many different dishes as they wish.
As well as the food, there will be local drinks available from Rad Beer and Rowton Vineyard.
Councillor Bernie Bentick, Mayor of Shrewsbury, said:
“I’m really excited to be hosting this Tastes of Asia event and to have the opportunity to bring so many different community groups together in support of my four chosen charities.
“Shrewsbury is a wonderfully diverse town, and this event is a great way to celebrate that diversity through food. What makes it particularly exciting is that the dishes being served will offer something a little different from the traditional food options that people may usually find on restaurant menus in the town.
“With residents able to drop in at any point during the afternoon, I hope people will see this as a chance to come along, try a few different dishes, discover something new and enjoy themselves with friends and family.”
The event is being held in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Appeal, with profits from the event supporting the Mayor’s four chosen charities for 2026/27: Shropshire Mental Health Support, Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation and Little Stars.
The Mayor added:
“I would like to thank all of the local restaurants and businesses who are generously contributing their time, food and expertise to make the event possible.
“I hope people will come along, try something new, meet others from across our community and, most importantly, help us raise money for four fantastic local charities.”
Anyone with specific dietary requirements is asked to make these known when booking their tickets. Where possible, alternatives will be provided. The Mayor’s charity team is also working closely with participating caterers to ensure food is clearly labelled for relevant intolerances.
Tastes of Asia
Sunday 18 October 2026
12pm – 6pm
Smithy’s Bar, Shrewsbury Town Football Club
Tickets: £20 per person, including £10 of food and drink tokens
Residents can arrive at any point between 12pm and 6pm – you do not need to attend for the full six hours.
Spaces are limited and residents are encouraged to book early to avoid missing out.
Tickets are available via the Shrewsbury Town Council website:
