Another Course of Top Chefs Announced for Festival of Food and Drink

Following the recent announcement of Saturday's guest chefs—Simon Rimmer, Rosemary Shrager, and Paul A Young—the Festival of Food and Drink at Thoresby Park has just turned up the heat. Joining the line-up on Sunday 21st September are culinary stars John Torode, Francesco Mattana, and Chris Baber, completing a delicious weekend of foodie entertainment.

A hugely popular and influential figure on the UK culinary circuit, John Torode MBE is best known as the straight-talking co-host presenter and judge of MasterChef and Celebrity MasterChef (the world's most successful cookery TV format). A regular guest chef on This Morning, John also appears with his wife Lisa Faulkner co-hosting John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen on ITV, a hugely successful series, now in its 9th series.

John was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to Food, Broadcast & Charity. His cookery books and writings have received huge critical acclaim, including the bestselling My Kind of Food, and Sydney to Seoul. His new book entitled John & Lisa's Kitchen was published in 2024.

Leading Italian chef, Francesco Mattana, also takes to the stage on the Sunday. Francesco has built a loyal following on his social media platforms, with over 1.3M followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. Francesco is an advocate for eating sustainably, reducing food waste and following the seasons, something that he's learnt from his Sardinian upbringing.  

In 2018, he turned to teaching full-time and was the Head Teaching Chef at Jamie Oliver's Cookery School in London. He's also worked and collaborated with Eataly - La Scuola, Emilia's Pasta, Food at 52, The Pasta Academy run by Pasta Evangelists and Bread Ahead Baking School. He is currently writing his own book, due to be published in 2026.

Also appearing on the Sunday is Chris Baber who began working under critically acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Atul Kocchar. Partnered with his background in athletics and passion for fitness, Chris has developed a unique approach to eating well and has just had his second Men's Fitness cover and recipe series, blending his passion for food and fitness. 

Chris began his career winning BBC1s 'Yes Chef' in 2016 and has since cooked on Saturday Kitchen, was the resident Chef on ITV's 'Cooking with the Stars Extra Helpings' and has recently filmed with Robson Green for the highest rating BBC documentary show 'Weekend Escapes' and is subsequently working on his own concept with ITV. 

Chris' debut cookbook 'Easy' quickly climbed to number 1 on Amazon. Chris is in talks with his publisher for his second book. With over 250,000 engaged followers across social media Chris has a solid platform that continues to grow.

As well as a first-class line-up of guest chefs, there will be over 160 stalls showcasing a variety of food and drink products, gift, crafts, and homewares.

There's plenty of entertainment for the kids with the Kid's Cookery School, Circus School and arts and crafts and more.

The Cookery Theatre will once again have presenter Chris Bavin at the helm – renowned for his lively and interactive chat with the guest chefs, you are guaranteed a fun time in the 500-seater cookery theatre.

Tickets from just £12 can be purchased via the festival website. VIP tickets, children and family ticket options are also available, and under six years go free.

https://festivaloffoodanddrink.com/

TV Chefs Bring Flavour and Flair to Thoresby Park This September

The amazing Festival of Food and Drink is back for its 12th year on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, and is preparing to unwrap another great weekend of delicious food, inspiring demonstrations and a dazzling line-up of fantastic guest TV chefs.

On Saturday 20th September, Nottinghamshire's Thoresby Park will give a warm welcome to Simon Rimmer, Rosemary Shrager and Paul A Young to the festival's covered 500-seater cookery theatre.

Simon Rimmer has been waking up the nation for almost 13 years as Chef and Co-Presenter of C4's Sunday Brunch. 

He'll take to the stage on Saturday 20th September to share his expert cooking skills. Simon also presented Something for the Weekend on BBC Two where he cooked and interviewed guests alongside his co-host Tim Lovejoy. 

His podcast 'Grilling' launched in November 2020 and features discussions with world-famous chefs about their past experiences in the industry, and cooking hacks.

Simon has written and published five highly successful books, including his recent Sunday Brunch Cookbook.

Back by popular demand, Rosemary Shrager will again entertain visitors with her distinctive humorous take on all things related to cooking. But she'll also be demonstrating some of her favourite recipes. 

Rosemary endeared herself to the nation on 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' by showcasing her versatile cooking skills. 

Her recent shows include Cooking with the Stars, The Big Family Cooking Showdown and The Real Marigold Hotel. 

Professionally, Rosemary has worked with Pierre Koffman at Tante Claire in London and Jean-Christophe Novelli. She was also head chef at Moyns Park, overseeing catering for the Mountbatten's private and corporate events.

Paul A Young has been named one of the world's finest master chocolatiers and one of the best in the UK since opening his first chocolaterie in 2006. He is known for his innovation, creative flavour combinations and his approachable way of making chocolate part of anyone's cooking repertoire.

Originally from Yorkshire, Paul secured his first head chef role at Alice Blossom's restaurant in Whitby in 1994 at the age of 21. Just two years later, in 1996, he was offered a position as pastry chef at Marco Pierre White's Criterion Brasserie in London's Piccadilly.

Paul has graced our screens, appearing on This Morning, Alan Titchmarsh, Sunday Brunch, Saturday Kitchen, The Apprentice, Blue Peter, The Sweet Makers, Snack Masters, Top Chef US to name a few. Paul has four books, Adventures with Chocolate, Sensational Chocolate, How to Make Chocolates and The Joy of Chocolate.

The Cookery Theatre will once again be hosted by Chris Bavin - Chris has worked in the fresh produce industry for over 20 years and is presenter of BBC's Eat Well for Less – he is renowned for his lively and interactive chat with the guest chefs.

There will be a fresh batch of special guests for the show's second day on Sunday 21st September, to be announced in the coming weeks.

As well as a top-notch line-up of guest chefs, there will be over 160 stalls showcasing a wide variety of food and drink products, gift, crafts, and homewares. They'll also have exciting news for BBQ enthusiasts which they'll announce over the coming months.

Live music, bars, cocktails and new and exciting bookable sessions. There's plenty to keep the little ones entertained with the Kids' Cookery School, Circus School and arts and crafts plus more besides.

Master Carvers will be getting crafty with the new live wood carving demonstrations – showcasing the techniques and tools of the trade and sharing expert tips for any budding carvers.

Tickets from just £12 can be purchased via the festival website. VIP tickets, children and family ticket options are also available, and under six years go free.

https://festivaloffoodanddrink.com

Winning Line-Up of TV Chef Stars Announced for Nottinghamshire's Festival of Food and Drink

Nottinghamshire's Thorseby Park is hosting the East Midland's foodie heaven event of the year when it will be home to Nottinghamshire's Festival of Food and Drink.

Happening over two magical days (it's back for its 11th year!) on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September, the weekend is to be a stunning foodie showcase of in excess of 160 stalls featuring an eclectic melange of artisan food and drink, gifts, crafts, and homewares, too. 

So visitors will be able to buy food, spices, herbs, drinks, etc and buy some fantastic equipment to prepare the new foods and new wares to serve it on!

Rosemary Shrager made herself super popular with  the public via her appearance on 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' when she was able to display her versatile cooking skills. Her recent shows include Cooking with the Stars, The Big Family Cooking Showdown and The Real Marigold Hotel. 

Rosemary's worked with Pierre Koffman at Tante Claire in London, plus Jean-Christophe Novelli. She was also head chef at Moyns Park, dealing with catering for the Mountbatten's private and corporate events.

Famed chef, TV presenter, and published author Phil Vickery has served as a highly popular member of This Morning for over 22 years. He's earned the accolade of being the show's longest-serving chef. He's done live demonstrations and features, plus bringing  to the show's loyal viewers pre-recorded segments from a wide range of outside locations.

Phil boasts numerous culinary honours, including a Michelin Star, 4 AA Rosettes, Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year, Times Restaurant of the Year, Egon Ronay's Guide Dessert Chef of the Year, and British Meat Chef of the Year.

Following on from his impressive win on Iron Chef UK, TV chef and author Marcus Bean will be serving up a variety of dishes on Saturday. Marcus is also a regular on ITV's This Morning and a whole range of other cooking shows.

The host of the Festival's cookery theatre is Chris Bavin a stalwart of the fresh produce industry for over two decades and is known for presenting the BBC programme Eat Well for Less. Chris will be in charge of the cookery demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Set in the amazing;y beautiful grounds of Thoresby Park, the festival will give foodies a fantastic day out. At £10 a ticket, it's going to be an affordable, fun experience for the entire family.

Guests will enjoy some of the best that the UK has to offer in food and drink terms. Enjoy top street food vendors, bars, and cocktail venues.

You'll be entertained with live music sessions throughout the weekend. There will be a special Kid's Cookery School, a Circus School and arts and crafts, too, plus lots more to see and do for the entire family.

Tickets can be purchased via the festival website, here:-https://festivaloffoodanddrink.com.

Look out for the VIP tickets (there's a limited number, so don't miss out!) plus children and family ticket options. And kids under six years go free. The festival is also dog friendly so visitors can bring their furry friends, too.