Top chefs join Northallerton food festival line up

Since being held by a small band of volunteer food enthusiasts for the first time in 2012, Northallerton Homegrown Food Festival has turned into an event that last year attracted 6,000 people to the market town.

Organisers plan to build on its fledgling success to date with three big name chefs now confirmed on the bill for this year’s instalment at the Applegarth on Sunday, June 28, 10am-5pm.

A food theatre will host Steph Moon, former head chef at Rudding Park’s double AA Rosette Clocktower restaurant in Harrogate, Simon Crannage, head chef of Swinton Park in Masham and Matthew Roath, head chef of The Buck Inn at Maunby - the Yorkshire Dining Pub of the Year.

Visitors will get to see the trio in action and can browse stalls of more than 120 of the region’s food and drink producers.

There will be a ‘Kids’ Kitchen’ featuring interactive workshops aimed at young children including bread-making with Olivia’s Artisan Bakery and sweet treats with the head chef of Barker’s 1882 Bistro, Pablo Bouza-Causier.

A Tipple Tent will be serving locally-brewed beers, spirits and wines; there will be two stages of live music, and a pop-up allotment to encourage people to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs.

One of the organisers, Sally Anderson, said: “The Food Theatre and Kids’ Kitchen are always such highlights. Last year, the Kids’ Kitchen sold out days before and it was a joy to see so many little ones and their parents learning to make all sorts of things from bread and fresh pasta to cakes and cordials.

“We are so pleased to have been able attract such outstanding and talented chefs to our festival. They’re all completely different and will be sharing their tips and ideas - as well as some tasting, I’m sure.”