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/

COOKS&CO’s Hearts of Palm add a delicious, nutritious twist to slimming summer salads

COOKS&CO, the must-have fine food range for the discerning home cook, has the perfect tasty and healthy ingredient for summer salads with a difference – Hearts of Palm.

Harvested from the soft core of the palm tree, COOKS&CO Hearts of Palm add a delicious crunch to any dish and are packed with healthy nutrients. As well as being very low in cholesterol, they are a great source of protein and fibre, are very high in calcium, iron, Vitamin C, and much more besides. And containing just 25 kcal per 100g, they make an excellent snacking alternative for the health or weight conscious shopper.

Meanwhile, the unique flavour and texture of COOKS&CO Hearts of Palm make them a surprisingly versatile food in a range of dishes. For a quick appetiser add a simple vinaigrette dressing, or wrap in smoked salmon or Parma ham for a more luxurious treat. Alternatively, slice them to make a delicious addition to your summer salads, pizzas, quiches and tarts.

Or try them in a delicious ‘Millionaire’s Salad’, so called because it is full of delicious and luxurious ingredients that are bound to leave anyone who tries it feeling like a millionaire!

MILLIONAIRE'S SALAD – Serves 6-8
390g can COOKS&CO Artichoke Hearts, quartered
400g can COOKS&CO Hearts of Palm, sliced in 1/4 inch slices
290g jar COOKS&CO Pitted Kalamata Olives, sliced in half
60g COOKS&CO Roasted Red Peppers
450g fresh mushrooms, quartered
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp pepper

Drain the artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, olives and roasted red peppers. Add mushrooms. Combine other ingredients. Mix with vegetables. Allow to stand in refrigerator overnight.

FACTFILE:
COOKS&CO Hearts of Palm (RSP: £1.99, 400g) are very low in low in Cholesterol and a good source of Protein, Riboflavin and Potassium, as well as Dietary Fibre, Vitamin C, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper and Manganese.

COOKS&CO foods are available in key retailers including Tesco, Asda, Ocado, Budgens and Booths. Its extensive range of fine food products are designed for people who appreciate good food and fantastic flavours. Providing high quality at affordable prices, COOKS&CO offers delicious ingredients which are sourced from producers whose focus is on delivering products of exceptional flavour and quality.

COOKS&CO can be at your barbecue with restaurant-quality foods!

Fine food company, COOKS&CO have the perfect range for BBQs this summer. Using only the finest quality ingredients from producers around the world, COOKS&CO ensures that time-poor food lovers can prepare stunning, restaurant-quality anti-pasti at home at an affordable price.

The below products are a selection taken from the range - perfect for any barbecue, picnic or party that you have coming up. If you would like to receive some samples please do let me know.

For full details on the range please see www.cooksandco.co.uk

NEW COOKS&CO Roasted Red Peppers

These red peppers are grown under the Mediterranean sun until perfectly ripe.  They are deliciously succulent, with an intense, sweet flavour.  

A convenient replacement to fresh peppers that can be used in salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, quiches, casseroles and on pizzas.  Or simply serve them as part of an antipasti or mezze platter.

Available at Ocado, Tesco

RRP  for a 460g jar is £2.39

COOKS&CO Green Olives with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Plump, juicy Halkadiki olives hand-stuffed with sweet,
flavoursome sun-dried tomatoes.

Add to pasta, salads or enjoy on their own.


COOKS&CO Green Olives are also available with Jalapenos peppers, Feta Cheese and Blue Cheese

Available at Morrisons, Booths, Musgraves and Asda COOKS&CO Green Olives with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Plump, juicy Halkadiki olives hand-stuffed with sweet,
flavoursome sun-dried tomatoes.

Add to pasta, salads or enjoy on their own.

COOKS&CO Green Olives are also available with Jalapenos peppers, Feta Cheese and Blue Cheese

Available at Morrisons, Booths, Musgraves and Asda

RRP for a 290g jar is £2.99

COOKS&CO Stuffed Vine Leaves

These divine stuffed vine leaves are made to a traditional Greek recipe using mint & dill, resulting in a fantastic combination of Mediterranean tastes and texture.

Great as an appetiser or as part of an antipasti selection.

Available at Tesco, Asda and  Ocado

RRP for a 380g can is £2.25

COOKS&CO Red Chillies

Selected with care, these fine chillies will add a ‘kick’ to salads, kebabs, pizzas, sandwiches, stir-fries and a variety of meat and fish dishes.  

Perfect for Mexican-style recipes and particularly good in salsas, dips and dressings.

COOKS&CO Green Chillies

These green chillies are hot and gutsy! Use them instead of fresh chillies for Indian and Thai curries, Tex Mex recipes and stir fries.

They are a great addition to pizzas, marinades and dips.

Available at Asda and Ocado

RRP for a 300g jar is £1.49

COOKS&CO Red Pepper with Feta Cheese

Stuffed with delicious creamy Feta cheese, these peppers are slightly piquant and melt in the mouth.

Excellent as an appetiser or indulgent snack.

Available at Tesco, Morrisons, Somerfield, Co Op and Ocado

RRP for a 290g jar is £2.99