THOUSANDS of people are expected to converge on Bishop Auckland at the weekend for the town’s annual food festival.
The Durham County Council-run festival, will be held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April, with hundreds of traders set up shop, ready to share their goodies with visitors – from sensational street food and delicious desserts to artisan produce and locally-brewed beverages.
A fantastic line-up of celebrity chefs will also be taking to the stage at the festival’s cookery theatre, where the likes of chef and TV presenter John Whaite and Great British Bake Off favourite Crystelle Pereira.
Read more: Important travel information for Bishop Auckland Food Festival visitors
Also on stage will be professional chef Philli Armitage-Mattin, who started her career in Michelin-starred kitchens with the Gordon Ramsay group in the UK, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Philli entertained the nation with her take on Asian-inspired dishes when she made it to the final of BBC One’s MasterChef The Professionals.
Crowd favourite Chris Bavin will be welcomed back to host the cookery theatre and introduce chefs on both Saturday and Sunday.
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.
Providing musical entertainment will be 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, which will all be ready to spread the party atmosphere with their lively performances.
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.
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.
This year the festival is also a key part of County Durham’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025, showcasing the many major events that take place across the county throughout the year and how people can enjoy culture together through food.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “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.”
For the latest festival news and announcements, sign up to the newsletter at www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk or follow @BishFoodFest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
To find out more about the City of Culture bid, submit ideas and leave messages of support, visit www.durham2025.co.uk or follow the Durham 2025 social media accounts at @Durham2025 on Facebook, @Durham_2025 on Twitter, and @Durham2025_ on Instagram.
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