Nigel Barden

Nigel Barden is a much-loved food and drink broadcaster who works on both television and radio. He is the main food correspondent for BBC London where he has worked with Simon Mayo and Chris Evans.

Nigel specialises in promoting British ingredients and artisan food and drink producers, particularly through his roles on the judging panels for The Great Taste Awards, Farm Shop & Deli Awards, World Cheese Awards, and the British Cookery School Awards. As well as judging, he has hosted similar events such as the National Fish & Chip Awards and Delicious Yorkshire.

Nigel’s mantra is about good taste, provenance, and craftsmanship. Not a chef, but a down-to-earth cook and pundit, with an eye on seasonality and quality ingredients, Nigel is passionate about what people want to put on their tables and in their bellies.

He brings experience, fun, banter, and impartial recommendations of the best food and drink happenings in the United Kingdom and beyond.

He is a well-esteemed television and radio presenter, as well as an in-demand award host, conference presenter, after-dinner speaker, voice-over artist, and narrator.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden for your next event

Type Of Speaker

Event Hosts Health & Wellbeing Hospitality, Food & Drink Presenters Speaker Sustainability

More About Nigel Barden

Nigel Barden grew up on a farm which gave him a great respect and understanding of the farming community, and to those who make and sell their home-crafted produce. As he grew up, he took on work as a dairy farmer in Somerset, as well as a tree surgeon in the Lake District, before studying for a year at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. This gave him a great love of the land and its produce, which helped him when he took a new career path and started working for Yorkshire Fine Wines when he was 22. It was whilst working here that he became a regular on Chris Evans’ Saturday morning radio show as a restaurant and wine reviewer.

Nigel Barden Radio Broadcasting

Nigel has predominantly worked for radio, mainly with Simon Mayo on his Greatest Hits radio show, having previously worked with Chris Evans for over 12 years. Not only does Nigel present food and drink-related radio shows, but he also contributes to radio shows on sport, particularly rugby. When he was 30, the BBC approached him regarding presenting sports updates on their show hosted by Simon Crosse. Nigel has been working for BBC Radio London since 1990 and is the longest-standing contributor.

Nigel Barden TV Broadcasting

As well as his much-loved radio shows, Nigel hosts the television show Nigel Barden’s Drivetime Dishes for both Amazon Prime and Simply Good Food TV, and he regularly appears on BBC’s Inside Out. He then took a similar approach to his podcasts A Grand Hotel by Corinthia, a three-part series featuring chef Tom Kerridge and the Corinthia Hotel in London, and Britannia Living, where he champions artisan food and drink producers. Through his podcasts, Nigel regularly hosts online cheese and wine tastings, often linking up with producers and tasters abroad.

Nigel Barden Food Industry Event host

Nigel is a go-to food and drinks event host, primarily for Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park festivals in Marlow, Bath, Leeds, Knutsford, Chiswick, and St. Albans. He hosts a wide range of food-related events including Cider and Cheese Tasting, The British Cheese Weekender, Menu Innovation and Development Awards, Fine Food North, and the North West Family Business Awards.