Celebrity chef has date at food festival

The Michelin starred chef Jean Christophe Novelli will appear at Hull Truck Theatre, in the footsteps of James Martin, who proved a recipe for success at the theatre’s first-ever food festival last year.

Thousands visited the theatre for the festival last year. As well as being an opportunity for regular theatregoers to support what is a fundraising event, the theatre is hoping it can entice some new visitors.

The chef, who has appeared on a number of TV shows, including Hell’s Kitchen, will be running three demonstrations on the main stage on Sunday, March 27.

He said: “I am extremely delighted and excited to be a part of the 2011 Hull Truck Food Festival.

“It will be a wonderful celebration of local produce and I look forward to meeting so many connoisseurs of fine foods and visiting all the stalls that will undoubtedly be heaving with magnificent produce.”

Cooking enthusiasts will have the chance to see top chefs working first-hand including local celebrity chef, Nigel Brown. He has his own cookery academy in North Lincolnshire and demonstrates at festivals across the country.

Mr Brown said: “Last year’s event was an outstanding success and as a born and bred Yorkshireman, I’m thrilled to be coming back for the second year with exciting new dishes for everyone to recreate at home.

“I can’t wait to have a wander round the stalls and pick up some fantastic additions to my recipes, we’re lucky to live in the best part of the country for fresh quality food and I like to do my bit by supporting our local producers.”

The theatre’s resident bistro chef James Allcock will be dishing up his most popular treats.

More than 20 local producers will be setting up stall in a marquee in Theatre Square from noon to 7pm.

Interactive tasting demonstrations will run in the Studio Theatre throughout the day at 12pm. These include Cheese Tasting with the Cheese Cellar; 1pm: Olive Tasting with the Cheese Cellar; 2pm: Beer Tasting with Wold Top Brewery; 3pm: Chocolate Tasting with Thomas Francis Chocolatier; 4pm: Sloe based spirits with SLOEmotion; 6pm: Cocktail demonstration with the cocktail guru, Jamie Stephenson.

There will be Celebrity Chef cookery demonstrations in the Main Theatre at 12.30pm, 2.45pm and 5pm.

Entry to the food festival is free – tickets to the interactive tasting sessions cost £5 and the Celebrity Chef cookery demonstrations cost £20. Creative Learning Workshops cost £5 per session, per child and must be booked.

Money raised from the event will go towards the theatre’s fundraising efforts. To book tickets call the box office on 01482 323638 or visit www.hulltruck.co.uk