WHETHER you see yourself as an expert in the kitchen, an interested foodie or more of a culinary nightmare waiting to happen, there is always something to be learnt from a chef. Even if the only lesson you remember is how to avoid food poisoning.

"They provide a perfect opportunity for people to learn some fantastic cooking tips, which they can try at home, and to meet the chefs from their favourite restaurants."

Bolton's Food and Drink Festival will be on hand to teach everyone a trick or two and share their culinary expertise. Top regional chefs including Aiden Bryne, Andrew Nutter, Sean Wilson, Aazam Ahmad and Jackie Kearney will join celebrity chefs such as Masterchef’s John Torode, James Martin and Gino D’Campo for the four-day festival across the August bank holiday.

Gino D'CampoGino D'Campo

The food and drink festival will take place at the newly refurbished Bolton Market on Ashburner Street, and also at the Market Place Shopping Centre, with regional chef demonstrations in the marquee at Victoria Square. 

"The free demonstrations at Bolton Market and the Market Place Shopping Centre chef marquee have grown in popularity every year with both visitors to the festival and on the regional chef's circuit," said Councillor Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council. "They provide a perfect opportunity for people to learn some fantastic cooking tips, which they can try at home, and to meet the chefs from their favourite restaurants.

John Wilkinson ColoursmChef John WilkinsonHe continued, "This year we are pleased that Market Place Shopping Centre will be hosting demos again on each day of the festival – this time in a designated regional chef marquee - and we’re really looking forward to holding demos on Friday and Saturday in the new Lifestyle Hall at our refurbished Bolton Market." 

Nikki Wilson-Cook, Centre Manager of Market Place Shopping Centre, said: "With the number of visitors who came to the festival last year it is clear there is a thirst for quality food and drink in the town and we look forward to hosting many of the top names such as Aiden Byrne and Michael Caines in the regional chef marquee at Market Place Shopping Centre across the four days.

"We are also hosting a number of other events at the centre to complement the main festival to make the whole experience more exciting, including activities for children and adults alike."

Bolton Food and Drink Festival will be held Friday 22 August - Monday 25 August.

For more information about the festival including schedules and demonstrations, visit the website here.

Follow Niamh Spence on Twitter at @missnspence

John TorodeJohn Torode