Crowds watching a cookery demonstration by Paul Gilmore

Thousands turned out to enjoy the tastes of the third Lichfield Food Festival at the weekend.

Crowds watching a cookery demonstration by Paul Gilmore
Crowds watching a cookery demonstration by Paul Gilmore

They came to see 11 master chefs in action, along with guest appearances from TV personalities and a packed market where they could buy a wide range of tasty treats.

Local chef Simon Smith compered a series of cookery demonstrations in the Market Square as part of the festival. He said:

“The displays were fantastic, with the crowds learning some great insider tricks from the best local and regional chefs around.

“From artisan chocolate and bread making to healthy eating and Chinese dishes, every taste was catered for.”

On Saturday. families enjoyed spotting cupcakes as they took part in the Cupcake Hunt around the Market Square. Then on Sunday, children got artistic at the sweetie box decorating workshop.

Over at Britannia Enterprise Park, Tippers hosted three free cookery demonstrations, featuring celebrity chef Rachel Green on Saturday.

The three demonstrations saw the Kill it! Cook it! Eat it! TV chef expertly prepare hot smoked venison with a beetroot and radish salad on a Falcon induction range cooker. A selection of food stalls were also dotted around the showroom on the day.

At Cakeydora in Upper St John Street, Christine Wallace, quarter finalist in last year’s Great British Bake Off, delighted the audience by baking her brandy snap ‘ninety niners’ which won her star baker in the show. The event raised more than £140 for Stephen Sutton’s charity, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Breast Cancer Care.

Julie Crisp with baking competition winner Helen Clinton
Julie Crisp with baking competition winner Helen Clinton

Sunday saw the judging of the baking competition at Three Spires Shopping Centre. More than 20 people entered into the contest, which had wedding cakes and Cinderella as the themes this year.

First prizes were awarded to to Caitlyn Brown (age 4 to 11 category), to Alice Lainingham (age 12 to 17 category) and to Helen Clinton (age 18+ category).

Julie Crisp, owner of Cakeydora and judge of the baking competition, said: “The standard of baking and decoration was at a really high level, and I was so impressed with the creativity of all the bakers.

“Well done to the winners and runners up, and thank you to everyone who entered, making it such an interesting bake off.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.