Newcastle Food Festival announces all live cookery line-up

Returning for its third year, the festival will take place from May 2 to 4 in Exhibition Park and is promising a packed schedule of live cooking demonstrations showcasing everything from British cuisine to Asian fusion, fresh pasta, pastries and plant-based recipes.

Each chef will take to the stage to share dishes, techniques and kitchen stories from their culinary journeys.

Highlights on Saturday, May 2 include a student cook-off from Newcastle College, with two students competing head-to-head for a place in the final.

Demonstrations will be delivered by Rajiv Tiwari of Dakwala Bombay Canteen, pastry chef Patricia Marques, and Connor Wilson from the Kirkstyle Inn.

Former MasterChef semi-finalist Anthony O’Shaughnessy will round off the day with the first of his demonstrations.

Sunday’s line-up features student competitors once again, along with Kyle Bowman of Dobson & Parnell, Lawrence Norman of Soku Kitchen, Chris Rawlinson of the Zucchini Pasta Bar, and Tammy Lunera of Hope Beyond Borders.

The final day on Monday begins with the student cook-off final and features Chef Tum of Thai House Café, Anthony Archer and Lee Hardy of Tomahawk Steakhouse, and Yasmin Sayed-Ahmed of Layla’s Kitchen.

Mr O’Shaughnessy will close the theatre with a final demonstration to wrap up the festival.

Early bird tickets and further event information are available at newcastlefoodanddrinkfestival.com.