NEWS readers Christa Ackroyd and Ian White put their food presentation rather than presenting skills to the test in Huddersfield.

The Look North chums went head to head in a Ready Steady Cook style cook-off at the opening of this year's Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival.

The packed cookery demonstration in St George's Square saw Christa dicing onions and chopping peppers for a dish of monkfish on a roasted pepper coulis.

Ristorante Sole Mio chef Simon Treherne provided a professional touch and also produced individual tiramisu desserts to tickle the audience's tastebuds.

Jane Walker from the Keys Coffee House helped Ian create a salmon and pasta dish.

The enthusiastic onlookers voted Christa's creation the winner.

Today Huddersfield Town defender Efe Sodje and Huddersfield Giants Jonathan Grayshon will take part in a re-match of last year's event in which the Giants were victorious.

Demonstrations will take place every hour over the four-day festival showing a wide variety of skills from local chefs, to cocktail makers and flower arrangers.

Mini marquees throughout the Square are housing a farmer's market selling everything from specialist sausages, local pickles, pastries, preserves, to real ale, wine and cider.

Cheeses were available to sample from Barbara Scholefield, of Wainstalls, Halifax and Julia Horner, from Buckden in the Yorkshire Dales, both members of the Women's Food and Farming Union.

Alison Campbell, assistant town centre manager, said she was delighted with the way the festival, now in its third year, was going.

"There are lots of visitors stopping to sample the food and drink. The festival offers something for everyone no matter what their culinary tastes," she said.

A children's party will be held in St Peter's Gardens, Byram Street today with entertainment including music and magic from the Singing Chef.

Bouncy castles, face painting and Punch and Judy will also be on hand to keep children happy.

And the festival continues well into the evening with real ale and cider tasting and a barbecue on Friday night and on Saturday English wines will be on offer with a finger buffet provided by the George Hotel.

Entry to these events is by ticket only.

The festival, which is organised by the Huddersfield Town Centre Association runs until Sunday and there are many fringe venues throughout the town.

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