FOOD fans were in heaven at Holmfirth Food and Drink Festival this weekend.

A huge range of food fare to tantalise tastebuds was on offer at the event, which took place on Saturday and Sunday for the third year running.

A vast variety of speciality foods were on sale – and there was even a Ready, Steady Cook-style demonstration to show visitors just what to do with what their purchases.

Look North news presenters Christa Ackroyd and Ian White took part in the celebrity cook-off on Sunday.

Mayor of Kirklees Clr Karam Hussain was in the audience, watching the presenters pit their culinary skills against one another.

More cookery demonstrations were held in the Holmfirth market hall.

But those who preferred dining out to a night in the kitchen took advantage of a special festival steak and wine night at the Old Bridge Hotel on Saturday.

Holmfirth restaurant Carniceria catered for visitors after liquid refreshment, hosting a cocktail-making demonstration on Sunday, plus cheese and wine tasting events.

Lesley James, from Holmfirth, had visited some of the demonstrations.

She said: “It’s my first time at the food festival and I think it’s wonderful. I like cooking so it’s great to be able to go to workshops or watch demonstrations to get ideas.”

Out on the streets, there was entertainment from Yorkshire Traction and Honley Bands on Saturday and Shepley Brass Band on Sunday.

The Frumptarn Guggenband – one of only two German parade bands in the UK – also put in two appearances at the festival’s German beer garden section.

Children were kept entertained with a circus skills workshop, face painting, biscuit decorating classes, butter making sessions and a Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Magicians were also touring the festival all weekend, delighting visitors with close-up conjuring tricks.

Holmfirth Library joined in the fun by hosting displays of books about food and drink from around the world. Sweets from different countries were also available to taste at the venue.

John Matthews, of Honley, said he felt the event was a great way to promote the Holme Valley.

“It’s a great event and shows what Holmfirth has to offer. It’s good to bring people in to the area.”

The weekend’s activities were the culmination of a series of festival events, which started on Monday with a Spanish food night at Carniceria. The restaurant also held a special 10-12 course taster menu for the festival on Friday.

Other preview events included a Yorkshire food and drink night at The Old Bridge Hotel on Wednesday and a fashion show by Holmfirth Mills at the market hall on the same day.