MasterChef 2022 celebrity joins the new Dorfold Food Festival line-up

THE culinary genius of the region’s top chefs, including this year’s BBC MasterChef winner Eddie Scott, will take to the stage at a crowd-pulling new Nantwich festival. 

Final preparations are being made for a jam-packed programme of entertainment at Dorfold Food and Drink Festival, taking place July 23-24, in the parkland off Chester Road. 

The festival, loved by thousands visiting foodie meccas such as Leeds and York, makes its debut in Nantwich after months of planning. 

Eddie Scott, the marine pilot who shot to fame as Masterchef 2022 winner, will demonstrate his signature dishes in the Live Cookery Theatre. 

Another star name, Makbul Patel, from Great British Bake Off 2020, will demonstrate Indian cookery and help organisers from Food Sorcery cookery school in Manchester to compere.

He joins the crème de la crème of the region’s best chefs appearing including local restaurant talent.

Traders have been keen to make their appearance in the Street Food Arena offering a smorgasbord of international cuisine at 25 outlets including Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Cuban, Turkish and Thai.  

An Artisan Street Market will set tastebuds tingling with more than 50 producers selling everything from cakes, cookies, candy floss, brownies, sweets and ice cream to cheese, olives, pies, spirits, spices and preserves.

Tasty tipples will be served up at a range of Independent Bars including craft ales, ciders, gins and cocktails – the fresh coconut mix has become a festival favourite.  Barista coffee and speciality teas will also be available.

The festival aims to be a platform for break-through music acts and there will be non-stop music throughout the weekend – 12 performers are already confirmed for the Live Music Stage.

Young families can enjoy magicians and circus acts in the  Entertainment Tent. Roving entertainers will raise a smile including stilt-walkers, jugglers and fire eaters – plus an appearance by the hilarious French Chefs Riding Giant Bikes! 

Children’s activities also include inflatables, art displays, fun fair rides and an animal club where they can learn about keeping pets.

It’s a bumper offering for the event’s debut in Nantwich underlining its reputation as a popular festival town. 

Festival founder Michael Johnston said: “We’re pulling out all the stops to make this a very special weekend for Nantwich.  

“Food and music are the essence of the festival but so is entertaining the whole family. We are so pleased local people have embraced the concept of a new Nantwich food and music festival and we won’t disappoint them.” 

The eagerly-anticipated Dorfold Food and Drink Festival will also support the work of mental health charity Mind in Cheshire. 

Since being founded in Leeds six years ago the festival series, which includes dates in Manchester, Ilkley and Harrogate, has raised more than £65,000 for Mind and organisers hope to pour thousands more into the coffers following the new Nantwich event. 

There will be free parking on site with collections made for the charity. 

Michael added: “We are a family behind the festival and have a very chilled vibe at our events. There’s seating doted round the site to enjoy purchases and we are also providing free deck chairs to sit back and enjoy the music in such a beautiful setting. 

“Early Bird ticket sales are going well and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.” 

Cookery theatre organiser Lisa Short, of Food Sorcery cookery school in Manchester, said chefs were keen to appear in Nantwich.

She said: “The town has such an excellent reputation for its eateries so we are really excited to be organising the line-up which includes our own cookery school chefs who have a great rapport with the public and love to share their knowledge and entertain.”

The festival is designed for all members of the family – including four-legged ones. Dogs are welcome. It’s open 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 7pm on Sunday.

Admission is £7.95 for adults and £3.95 for under 16s. It’s free for children under five.

For tickets and a full round up of all the attractions go to https://dorfoldfoodfestival.com/