THOUSANDS of people are expected to descend on Huddersfield town centre for the annual Food and Drink Festival – and children are set to get special attention this year.
Free workshops for youngsters will run throughout the festival, giving them the opportunity to get their taste buds tingling.
The four-day event – from August 9 to 12 – will feature more than 70 stalls serving up tasty temptations, an hourly programme of free cookery demonstrations by local chefs and producers and opportunities for visitors to try out their culinary skills.
Newcomers this year include Huddersfield restaurant Memsahib, Merrie England, Honley-based restaurant Mustard and Punch and coffee experts Grumpy Mule from Holmfirth.
Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop withdrew from the event last year after a fire at their premises but they are set to make a return this time.
Festival Manager Cathy Burger said:“The festival always has a great family atmosphere which is something we want to grow and develop.
“Building on the success of previous years, we’ve added in more children’s workshops this year and are making sure we promote healthy eating as well as the more indulgent side of food.”
A highlight for any Huddersfield Giants fans will be watching players from the club go head-to-head in a Ready Steady Cook Competition against Wakefield Wildcats on the Friday.
And the festival also aims to promote children to eat healthily and understand what foods are good for them.
Local nutrition expert Gina Battye will be getting youngsters involved in fun games and smoothie making.
They will also be getting stuck in with making chocolate treats with Huddersfield entrepreneur Carl Turner – known as the Minister of Chocolate – and making and stretching pizza dough with Pizzatainment.
The festival will also showcase talents of two Moor End Academy student finalists who will go head-to-head in a Young Chef competition.
They are tasked with cooking a breakfast for two people with a budget of £10.
For full festival details and to book go to www.foodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
