Bishop Auckland Food Festival saw record-breaking visitor numbers as it returned to its usual spring date this weekend.
More than 30,000 people flocked to the town centre from County Durham and beyond to try dishes from local traders, as well as watching a star-studded line up of TV chefs and bakers demonstrating their skills in the outdoor cookery theatre. Hosted by TV presenter Chris Bavin, the cookery line up included stars of Great British Bake Off John Whaite, Crystelle Pereira, Karen Wright and Chigs Parmar.
There was also former Dirty Sanchez star turned vegan chef Matt Baker, while popular BBC show MasterChef had plenty of representation. The Professionals' finalist Philli Armitage-Mattin brought her Asian-inspired dishes to the cookery theatre, while Bishop Auckland's own celebrity chef and MasterChef contestant Mike Bartley appeared and hosted a four course fine dining experience evening menu at the Town Hall created from local ingredients.
