Cheshire food and drink festival returns this Easter with celebrity chef headliners

From left, Paul Rankin, Miguel Barclay and Simon Rimmer

This year’s Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival will take place over the Easter weekend with a star-studded line up of celebrity chefs pencilled in to headline the popular event.

Located at the historic Chester Racecourse and now in its 24th year, the event will be held from Saturday, March 30 until Monday, April 1. For 2024 visitors will be treated to the culinary creations of Miguel Barclay, Paul Rankin and Simon Rimmer, as well as a host of talented local chefs showcasing the best of the county’s food and drink scene.

This year’s event will see more than 150 exhibitors – including local producers, artisan food makers, award-winning chefs, breweries, and vineyards offering a delectable variety of tastes. There will also be interactive workshops and demonstrations, dedicated children’s cooking classes and live performances from local choirs, plus a range of other entertainment throughout the three days.

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Miguel Barclay kicks off the festival on opening day. He is the mastermind behind the ‘one pound meals’ phenomenon and has seven best-selling cookbooks under his belt along with appearances on shows like Saturday Kitchen and This Morning. Paul Rankin, the culinary ambassador of Northern Ireland, takes to the stage the following day.

A familiar face from Ready Steady Cook and his own travel series Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip, he’ll share his passion for regional flavours and innovative cooking techniques. Popular TV chef and restaurateur Simon Rimmer wraps up the festival on the Monday.

The Sunday Brunch host – known for his approachable recipes and dedication to fresh, seasonal ingredients – is sure to entertain and inspire with his cooking demonstrations.

For more information and tickets visit chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk

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