ORGANISERS of Bishop Auckland Food Festival are counting down the days until visitors are welcomed back to celebrate all things food, arts and fun.

There is less than two weeks to go until the festival, which is run by Durham County Council, that will take place on April 23 and 24 for a weekend full of foodie celebrations.

The event will see hundreds of traders set up shop across Bishop Auckland town centre, ready to share their goodies with visitors – from street food and desserts to artisan produce and locally-brewed beverages.

Read more: Jean-Christophe Novelli in Bishop Auckland Food Festival line-up

Alongside the stalls, a massive line-up of celebrity chefs will also be taking to the stage at the festival’s cookery theatre, which will include chef and TV presenter John Whaite and Great British Bake Off favourite Crystelle Pereira, plus many more special guests.

Visitors can also look out for family entertainment taking place across the town, from street performances to opportunities to get involved in arts and crafts.  

The festival will welcome music from the North Tyneside Steel Band, one of the oldest steel bands in the North East, as well as street samba groups Nordestinos and Runaway Samba.

The Northern Echo: North Tyneside Steel Band. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.North Tyneside Steel Band. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Visitors can also explore their creativity with the likes of Daisy Arts and artist Laura Brenchley, with both having sessions available for festivalgoers to get crafty. 

There will also be stilt walking entertainment from Jump Stilts, acrobatic walkabout waiters who will wow the crowd with their antics on spring-loaded stilts, as well as the Giant Chefs, an interactive stilt-walking double act with a super-sized sense of humour.

This year, the festival is a vital part of County Durham’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025, showcasing how people can get involved in culture through food.

The Northern Echo: The Giant Chefs. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.The Giant Chefs. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “With just two more weeks to go, we can’t wait to welcome traders, chefs and visitors alike to Bishop Auckland to celebrate all things food.

“There is so much on offer from delicious dishes and demonstrations to family entertainment, so we’re encouraging everyone to come down and see what they can discover.

The Northern Echo: The entertainment at Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.The entertainment at Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Picture: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL.

“Bishop Auckland Food Festival is one of the most popular food events in the North East, and a highlight in the county’s events calendar.

“We know that people look forward to returning year after year, which showcases that the county has a cultural programme that fully supports its bid to become UK City of Culture 2025.”

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