Legendary chef Rosemary Shrager and finalists from BBC’s MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals have been added to the delicious menu of famous names at this year’s Festival of Food and Drink, held at Worksop’s Clumber Park on 17th and 18th September.
Rosemary will appear on Saturday causing cookery chaos with her fun but no-nonsense approach in the Cookery Theatre with host and TV chef Joe Hurd, which is free to attend for Festival ticket holders.
“I’m delighted to be coming back to Clumber Park,” said Rosemary. “This event is always such fun with great crowds and excellent produce on offer. I’m looking forward to bringing some of my new recipes to the Cookery Theatre for all to enjoy.”
Rosemary endeared herself to the nation when she took part in 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here' where she proved she could cook just about anything, anywhere. Since then, she has appeared on shows such as The Real Marigold Hotel, Chopping Block, The Big Family Cooking Showdown and most recently ITV’s Cooking with the Stars, mentoring Strictly judge Anton Du Beke.
She will appear alongside award winning author and champion of plant-based living, Ella Mills, founder of Deliciously Ella, and Great British Bake Off finalist Chigs Palmar.
On Sunday, BBC MasterChef finalist Pookie Tredell, the Midlands Beauty Salon owner who won a legion of fans from her very first appearance, will make her Clumber Park debut. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Pookie moved to the UK after her degree.
"I am Thai with Chinese heritage and although this has a huge influence on my cooking, I don’t limit myself to Thai-Chinese food,” she explains. “I like cooking international foods but love introducing my own style with all the foods I’ve cooked. Most of all I want my food to be flavoursome, delicious, fun and put a smile on people’s faces.”
She will be joined by MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Philli Armitage-Mattin, who entertained the nation with her take on playful Asian-inspired dishes.
‘Chef Philli” started her career in Michelin starred kitchens with the Gordon Ramsay group in the UK, Tokyo and Hong Kong. A Master’s degree in Chemistry has allowed her to design and launch macro-calculated restaurant concepts focusing on nutrition. A keen eye for blue sky concepts was key to working on the plant-based food ranges.
With a passion for Asian Street food after having spent a year working and researching across Asia to find unique recipes that would appeal to the Western palate, Philli’s debut cookbook Taste Kitchen: Asia is available from September.
Pookie and Philli will be joined by Great British Bake Off winner and Strictly finalist John Whaite, who is also resident chef on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Now in its ninth year, this celebration of local producers and global flavours attracts some of the UK’s best traders and street food vendors with over 150 on offer including many visitor favourites as well as newcomers. With live music and DJs, it’s no surprise that the Festival of Food and Drink is the biggest and most popular in the region.
Ticket prices start from just £10 in advance including entry into Clumber Park (usually £5 per adult at zavvi). Family and VIP tickets available. For more info, visit www.festivaloffoodanddrink.com
