Celebrity chef to join Stratford Food Festival bill

CELEBRITY chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will be the star turn at this year’s Stratford Town Centre Food Festival.

The award-winning French chef, who appeared on the second series of ITV's Hell's Kitchen, will take to the stage on Sunday, 25 September - the final day of the three-day festival.

The festival begins on Friday, 23 September, and is organised by Stratforward BID in association with French market operator, Geraud Markets.

It is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the town, with last year’s big names being TV chefs James Martin and Simon Rimmer.

Jean-Christophe said: “It has been great working in partnership with Stratforward and Groupe Geraud to deliver an event of this scale, especially to a town as historic as Stratford.

“I'm excited to meet the locals and give them a few demonstrations, hopefully they will pick up some new tricks to take home to the kitchen!”

The festival will see Stratford town centre packed with at least 100 stalls showcasing the best of local food and produce.

Highlights will include chef demonstrations, workshops and the popular Food and Ale Trails, which allow 200 daily ticketholders to pop into selected businesses across the town for tasty free samples.

The Local Producers Area on Waterside is a new feature on the Friday and Saturday, and local chefs will showcase the town’s own culinary talent at The Waterside Cookery Theatre, and there will be some hands-on workshops for both children and adults.

Stratforward events manager Ruth Wood said: “We’re all really excited to welcome Jean-Christophe Novelli to this year’s Stratford Town Centre Food Festival.

“We have a queue of volunteers eager to look after him for the day and the Stratforward team have all become fanatical foodies since his arrival was announced. It must be that winning combination of culinary skills and Gallic charm.”