On February 17, 2026, as dawn broke over Brighton’s Egremont Place, the familiar hum of anticipation filled the air at Starfish and Coffee café. For owner Tony Marks and his team, this wasn’t just any Tuesday—it was Pancake Day, the busiest and most celebrated day of their year. It’s a tradition that transforms the café, drawing locals and visitors alike for a culinary celebration rooted in centuries-old customs and international festivities.
“We put our regular menu to one side, we devote the whole day to making our famous pancakes,” Marks told BBC, his excitement unmistakable as he surveyed the bustling scene. The café, known for its inventive dishes, had been nearly fully booked for weeks, with some patrons having reserved their tables as early as three months ago. “It’s a double whammy of having pancake day and people in Brighton with time off. We’re pretty much 75% booked and will get lots of walk ins as well,” Marks explained. The half term holiday had only added to the flurry, ensuring that every seat was in demand.
For the Starfish and Coffee team, preparation was key. Head chef Marcin Sulek, anticipating the day’s rush, had invested in new pans to keep up with the hundreds of pancakes expected to sizzle on the griddle. “It’s going to be very busy,” Sulek acknowledged, ready to flip batter from morning until close.
But what makes Pancake Day so special in Brighton? The answer lies in the menu. Rather than sticking to the familiar, the café offers a dizzying array of both savory and sweet pancakes. This year, diners could choose from shakshuka topped pancakes, hearty lentil ragu pancakes, or indulge in decadent creations like Baileys chocolate mousse with lemon ricotta and caramelised banana. “We try not to go down the purely sweet pancake route, but we have some really indulgent ones,” Marks said, hinting at the creativity that has made his café a local favorite.
The origins of Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday as it’s also known, stretch far beyond Brighton’s city limits. The tradition is rooted in Christian observance, marking the last day before Lent begins. Historically, Christians would use up rich ingredients such as flour, eggs, and milk—foods they would abstain from during the Lenten fast—by making pancakes. The result? A day of feasting and community, where kitchens across the UK and beyond fill with the aroma of frying batter and the laughter of families gathered together.
Yet, as the pans clatter in Brighton, another time-honored Pancake Day tradition is unfolding some 4,500 miles away, across the Atlantic. In Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England, the 77th Annual International Pancake Day race is taking place—a quirky, spirited contest that has captivated both towns for generations. According to KSNW, the event’s roots trace back to 1445 in Olney, when, as legend has it, a woman engrossed in making pancakes to use up cooking fats before Lent heard the church bells for the shriving service. In a rush, she grabbed her head scarf, skillet, pancake, and apron, and dashed 415 yards to church, inadvertently founding a tradition that would echo through the centuries.
Fast forward to 1950, when R.J. Leete, then president of the Liberal Jaycees, reached out to the vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Olney, the Rev. Ronald Collins, challenging the women of Olney to a transatlantic race against the women of Liberal. Thus began a friendly rivalry that has continued every year since, with each city’s fastest runner competing for bragging rights and international recognition. The main race is strictly for women aged 18 and older, honoring the legacy of the original pancake-flipping matriarch.
The festivities in Liberal have only grown more elaborate over the years. “The event in Liberal continues to grow, we have weekend festivities and different races for all ages: pancake flipping contest, eating contest, mascot race, a big breakfast feed, little art show this year and all sorts of things like that,” said Breakfast Chair Mitchell Irby, as reported by KSNW. The town comes alive with friendly competition, laughter, and the unmistakable scent of pancakes wafting through the streets. Liberal has claimed victory the past two years, adding to the town’s pride and fueling the friendly rivalry with Olney.
While the race is the headline act, the day is about much more than speed. It’s a celebration of community and tradition, where the simple act of making and sharing pancakes becomes a bridge between continents and generations. Children and adults alike join in the fun, whether they’re racing with skillets in hand, sampling stacks of pancakes at the big breakfast feed, or admiring local art inspired by the day’s festivities.
Back in Brighton, the spirit is much the same. For Tony Marks and his team, Pancake Day is a chance to connect with their community, showcase their culinary creativity, and honor a tradition that has brought people together for centuries. “There had been bookings in since three months ago, for people who wanted to make sure they got a table,” Marks noted, reflecting the anticipation that builds each year. The café’s commitment to both savory and sweet options ensures there’s something for everyone, from the adventurous foodie to the nostalgic traditionalist.
As midday approaches, the kitchen at Starfish and Coffee is a whirlwind of activity. Chefs flip pancakes with practiced ease, servers dart between tables balancing plates piled high with both classic and inventive creations, and the steady hum of conversation fills the air. Outside, a line forms as hopeful walk-ins await their chance to join the celebration. The communal joy is palpable—a testament to the enduring power of food and tradition to bring people together.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, runners in Olney and Liberal catch their breath, having completed another chapter in their storied rivalry. The results are tallied, and one city will claim the title of fastest flipper for another year. But win or lose, the true victory lies in the shared joy, camaraderie, and sense of connection that Pancake Day inspires on both sides of the Atlantic.
In a world that often feels divided, the humble pancake offers a delicious reminder of what unites us—tradition, community, and a willingness to celebrate life’s simple pleasures, one flip at a time.