Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns with Bake Off Stars

Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns to the town this weekend, bringing celebrity chefs, street food traders, live entertainment and family activities.

The festival, organised by Durham County Council, will take place in the town’s marketplace from 10am to 5pm this Saturday and 10am to 4pm this Sunday.

Around 140 traders from County Durham and beyond are expected at the hugely popular festival, including 20 new faces.

Five celebrity chefs will treat the audience to cookery demonstrations throughout the weekend, including last year’s Great British Bake Off stars, Janusz Domagala and Sandro Farmhouse.

What’s On?

Janusz will be cooking at 10.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday, followed by bestselling cookery writer and TV chef, Rachel Allen, at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

ITV This Morning’s Phil Vickery will also be making an appearance on Saturday at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

Sunday’s demonstrations start with last year’s Bake Off runner-up, Sandro Farmhouse, who takes to the cookery stage at 10.30am and 1.10pm.

MasterChef 2018 winner, Kenny Tutt, will follow at 11.20am and 2pm, with Janusz returning for a second day of cooking at 12.20pm and 3pm.

If that’s not enough, traders will be selling everything from burgers and katsu curries to local cheeses and chutneys, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy free options.

There’ll also be live music, family-friendly craft, spray painting workshops and street theatre.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “It brings the town to life, bringing people together to have fun, try some sensational food and drink, and enjoy a great family day out”.

The Festical is one of many cultural events taking place in County Durham this year, cementing Durham’s position as the ‘culture county’ and demonstrating the council's ongoing commitment to culture-led regeneration.

Getting there

People attending are encouraged to travel by public transport or use the park and ride service - an accessible park and ride service shuttling visitors between Bishop Auckland College (DL14 6JZ) and the town centre will be in operation throughout.

Buses will run from 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday, with the last return bus running at 5.30pm on Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

Town centre car parks will be open but may be busy and some town centre roads will be closed for the event.

To keep updated on all the latest Bishop Auckland Food Festival news visit the event’s website and follow its social media channel