Bon appetit for Ludlow Food Festival
A selection of the country's rising stars in the culinary world were set to take to the stage today and cook up a storm – as thousands poured into Ludlow for the start of the town's three-day food festival.
Michelin star-winning chef Will Holland has assembled a team of "all-stars" to mark his last weekend in the town before departing from La Becasse, where he has worked for the past six years.
His team – which includes John Williams, from The Pound in Leebotwood, near Church Stretton –has won more than 20 awards between them including Michelin stars and Chef of the Year titles.
They will be cooking a selection of tasty dishes and taking part in demonstrations inside the grounds of Ludlow Castle throughout the day.
Those taking part include Steve Love, from Loves Restaurant in Birmingham; Elliot Lidstone, from The Empress, East London; Phil Fanning from Paris House, Bedfordshire; Sam Moody from The Bath Priory, Bath and Scott Fricker of Ferndale Foods.
UK Thai Curry Chef of the Year Suree Coates, from The King and Thai restaurant in Broseley, will launch her book "Cook Thai with Suree Coates" at the festival.
More than 20,000 visitors are expected to flock to the festival.
Organiser Beth Heath pledged this year was going to be "the biggest and best yet".
She said: "It's great to be working with such established chefs who really care about using locally-sourced ingredients.
"Their views tie in perfectly with our own. Promoting the wonderful selection of home-made and home-grown products available in Ludlow and the surrounding areas is what the festival is all about."
Meanwhile, SC Price & Sons bakers of Ludlow won the best speciality loaf in the UK at the Baking Industry Awards.
