NO, it’s not David Cameron’s newest stalker - or should that be porker?

Even the Prime Minister would be silly to turn his snout up at this delectable dish, doling out the bangers and bacon on the Neon Jamon stand at the weekend’s Liverpool Food and Drink Festival.

The Smithdown Road/Berry Street favourite was among 160 local restaurants, cafes and producers who turned out to feed the thousands who showed up for the Sefton Park event, now in its eighth year. 

Spice fans queued up to hear from Mowgli’s Nisha Katona whose first book, Pimp My Rice, was selling like hot cakes outside her Curry Clinic tent, just an hour after hitting the book stands.

Nisha is about to open a second restaurant in Manchester"s Corn Exchange. The Mowgli mogul told Confidential it was nail-biting times "but there has been such goodwill from people in Manchester." she added. "I didn't know how they would take to a scouser but, so far, I have been made to feel so welcome."

Elsewhere, the assembled celebrity chefs - Rachel Khoo, Richard Burr, Valentine Warner and Hemsley + Hemsley, drew crowds for their demos, while visitors also flocked to a range of masterclasses covering everything from chocolate to Chilean wines.   

Nisha Katona leads a curry clinic as first book hits the shelvesNisha Katona leads a curry clinic as first book hits the shelves

Bartenders from venues all over the city went head-to-head in a cocktail-making competition, while many diners treated themselves to a gourmet experience at Paul Askew’s Art School pop-up restaurant.

Amid the football, food science and kid friendly workshops, live bands, included John O’Connell of Groundpig, ukulele due The Mersey Belles and Wirral Indie band Sugar Shed.

 

Helmsley + HelmsleyHelmsley + Helmsley

Meanwhile, Tails in the City raised funds for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity from their dog crèche.

Denise Harris, Director of the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival, said: "This was definitely one of our best festivals to date.

"The people of the city have really taken the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival to their heart, and we're delighted that it's become a much-loved fixture in the city's calendar."