TV chef Simon Rimmer will be hoping to stir up the public’s passion for local produce at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Live cookery demonstrations by the Sunday Brunch presenter are among the many highlights of this year’s event, which takes place in the Market Place, Town Hall and the grounds of Auckland Castle on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April.
This year’s festival, organised by Durham County Council in partnership with the Auckland Castle Trust and Bishop Auckland Town Council, also promises to be fun for all the family, with more family entertainment and children’s activities planned, following feedback from visitors to last year’s event. Highlights include a visit by CBeebies star Stefan Gates, street entertainment and the launch of the event’s first Kids’ Club.
Chef, presenter, author and restaurateur Simon Rimmer became known for his innovative vegetarian food when he opened Greens restaurant in Manchester in 1990. He has gone on to become a familiar face on TV, appearing on The Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen and Something for the Weekend. He is also the author of four best-selling cookery books and opened his second restaurant, Earle, in Cheshire in 2006.He will be presenting two free cookery demonstrations in the castle grounds on Saturday. Also showing off his skills this year will be foraging expert and ex-head chef at River Cottage, Mark Lloyd. Mark will be appearing on Saturday and Sunday, as will award-winning food writer and broadcaster Richard Fox.
The heart of the festival will be more than 160 food and drink stalls and trailers spread across the Market Place and grounds of Auckland Castle. Serving up the very best in local produce, traders will be offering everything from fresh meat, fish and vegetables to chutneys, puddings and beer, wines and cider.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
