CHRISTMAS is coming early to Tatton Park as the UK's biggest celebration of food and drink heads back to Cheshire for three days of festive fun.
Foodies Festival 2019 returns to the county from November 15 to 17 with a seal of approval from the Mayor of Knutsford, who believes the event is one of the many reasons why the town is an established foodie destination.
Knutsford Mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy said: "It is great to have the Foodies Festival on our doorstep in Tatton Park.
“Knutsford has long been a destination town for discerning foodies looking for a good meal, and a great night out, with our wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars and historic culture.”
Great British Menu stars Aiden Byrne and Adam Reid are among the high-profile chefs who will be sharing Christmas culinary secrets in the Chef's Theatre, while stars of the Great British Bake Off will be cooking up a storm in the Cake and Bake Theatre.
Also confirmed this week is MasterChef 2015 winner Simon Wood who runs restaurants in Chester and Manchester.
Food-lovers can also enjoy an array of mouth-watering attractions including an Artisan Christmas Market with hampers and gifts from top, local producers, a Festive Workshop featuring cupcake decorating, mince pie and chilli eating contests, festive tipples in the Drinks Theatre, street food and festive delicacies from around the world.
Little ones can try their hand at gingerbread baking and Christmas cookie decorating in the Elves Cookery School, enjoy the thrills of funfair rides and join in with family carol singing.
Organisers welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to the picturesque Tatton Park for their summer crowd-puller back in July, and can't wait to return to the stately home for what promises to be another Christmas cracker.
Festival director Sue Hitchen, who hails from Knutsford, said: “We can’t wait to be back at Tatton, it’s truly a magical place in the run up to Christmas.
“The dates are confirmed and we just need now to put the finishing touches to our line-up of star chefs. The full timetable of appearances is soon to be announced.”
Mark Livesey, Chief Executive of Marketing Cheshire, said: "Cheshire is delighted to once again host the Foodies Festival at Tatton Park. The festival attracts thousands of visitors to the county and has become a popular date in the social diary.
"There is no more magical place to begin your festive preparations from open fires in our country retreats to present shopping at our Christmas market, Cheshire is the place to begin your Christmas countdown."
Great British Menu winner Adam Reid, of The French in Manchester, is looking forward to sharing his culinary secrets as he returns to Tatton Park for the Christmas event.
The star chef said: "The Foodies Festival is all but a tradition in Cheshire now and I can’t wait for it.
"I see Cheshire as the garden of Manchester and source a significant amount of my produce from quality growers there."
Tickets are now on sale. VIP packages include bubbly, entrance to the luxury lounge, priority entry to all theatres and masterclasses, show guides and good bags.
For more information visit foodiesfestival.com or call 0844 9951111
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