Now in its 17th year, Bolton Food and Drink Festival is always a great weekend, with hundreds of traders, live music, street entertainment, family fun and a wide range of food-themed activities.
COVID restrictions forced the 2020 edition to be a “digital only” event and while Bolton was able to welcome back the crowds in 2021, safety precautions meant there could not be a full programme of celebrity cookery demonstrations.
But this year, the festival will return once again for four days over the August Bank Holiday Weekend – and it promises to be a belter.
The festival’s full celebrity chef line-up has been confirmed, with some of the biggest names in TV cookery getting ready to show off their skills in front of live audiences.
Festival favourite James Martin, who described Bolton as “the biggest and best food festival in the UK,” will make his long-awaited return, entertaining the crowds while cooking up some spectacular dishes.
Si King and Dave Myers will ride into town fresh off their tour of Northern England in the hit BBC show The Hairy Bikers Go North.
The legendary Ainsley Harriott will delight fans with cooking tips and tales from nearly three decades as one the nation’s top TV personalities.
And renowned chef Michael Caines, who held two Michelin stars for 18 consecutive years, will also make an appearance.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome back such an incredible line-up of world class chefs to this year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival,” said Bolton Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Hilary Fairclough.
“The live cookery demonstrations are such a big part of the festival, and we are looking forward to having a full programme for the first time since 2019.
“It shows how highly regarded the festival is that we continue to attract some of the best chefs in the country to show off their skills right in the heart of Bolton.”
Tickets for the celebrity chef events will go on sale later this year.