A MICHELIN starred chef has been announced as the top attraction at a seaside town’s first food festival.

Kenny Atkinson, who left his position as director of food at Rockliffe Hall near Darlington last month will be cooking up locally sourced dishes in the cooking demonstration area at Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday, August 4.

Mr Atkinson, born and bred in Newcastle, shot to fame in 2009 when his beef salad starter was voted the best on BBC Two’s The Great British Menu.

He has agreed to become patron of Saltburn Farmers’ Market, which he visited for the first time on Saturday.

He said: “I’m very excited to be involved with the food festival and the farmers’ market because I’ve got a real passion for supporting local producers. Farmers’ markets are essential in improving the accessibility of good food.”

The food festival, run by market organiser Lorna Jackson, will feature a bigger than usual Saltburn Farmers Market, live music, children’s cookery area, farm yard petting zoo, and cookery workshops.

A large section of Milton Street in the town centre will be closed for the event and several local businesses will be involved in the food craft workshops.

Ms Jackson said: “We’re all thrilled to be hosting a food festival for the first time.

“We’re so glad Kenny is involved because he is a big advocate of local produce and also a really exciting chef to watch working.”

For more information on the food festival check out the Saltburn Farmer’s Market facebook page and also on twitter @saltyfarmmarket.