The Bishop Auckland Food Festival drew in a massive crowd over the weekend, featuring renowned chefs, delectable delights, and enjoyable activities for families.
The event showcased an impressive 140 stalls, with vendors from both County Durham and other regions offering an array of food, from burgers and curries to cheeses and chutneys.
Celebrity chefs such as Kenny Tutt, the winner of MasterChef 2018, and Rachel Allen, a bestselling cookery author, delighted the audience with their outdoor cooking demonstrations.
Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, an estimated 28,000 people attended the two-day festival, which is organized by Durham County Council.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “Bishop is at its best when you see it like it’s been this weekend – packed with visitors, traders and families all having a great time. That’s the beauty of events, they really bring a place to life as well as attracting footfall for the local retailers and hospitality businesses that serve the town all year round.
“The weather was far from ideal on Saturday but we were delighted to see so many people turn out regardless. We’ve had stalls selling fantastic food and drink, celebrity chefs showing off their skills, and live music, entertainment and activities for people of all ages. Traders have had an opportunity to reach new customers, with plenty of them selling out altogether, and people have come and enjoyed themselves.
“We hope everyone has had a fantastic weekend. A huge effort goes into events like this and I’d like to thank our traders and celebrity guests, the festival’s supporters and sponsors, and all the staff and volunteers who have made this happen. Of course, This is just one of many events we organise and there are plenty more to look forward to this year.”
The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Michael Siddle, added: “It’s always a wonderful weekend, with traders from near and far, vibrant and unique street entertainment, and cookery demonstrations from famous faces.
“The air is filled with delightful smells, and the sound of chatter and laughter as people gather to reminisce with old friends they may meet, or the new ones they make. The festival really does have all the perfect ingredients!
“Visitors get to see and experience the best of Bishop Auckland, from our bubbly and warm hospitality to our fabulous local traders and our wonderful visitor attractions. We hope everyone had a fantastic time and that they come back to see more.”
The County Durham is establishing itself as the ‘culture county’ with a series of cultural events, and the Bishop Auckland Food Festival is just one of many taking place this year.
These events highlight the council’s commitment to culture-led regeneration and its efforts to promote Durham as an attractive place to live, work, visit, and invest in. The council is also working on key projects for the shortlisted UK City of Culture bid and progressing major capital projects.
The Bishop Auckland Food Festival is supported by Bishop Auckland Town Council and Durham County Council’s Towns & Villages program.
To keep updated on Bishop Auckland Food Festival visit the event’s website www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk and follow its social media channels.
