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Michelin Chef Headlines Durham City Food Festival 2012

Award-winning Michelin starred chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, is set to star at Durham City Food Festival 2012, taking place in the City from Saturday 27th to Sunday 28th October 2012.

Organised as a joint partnership between Durham Markets and Durham University, and now in its second year, Durham City Food Festival brings together quality regional, national and international food producers for a celebration of food and drink in the beautiful and historic setting of the City’s peninsula, now a World Heritage Site.

Novelli, who runs a food academy in Hertfordshire, will make an exclusive appearance at Durham’s Food Festival in October 2012, starting by attending a fundraising dinner at Grey College, Durham University, on Friday 26th October, and then on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October during the Festival itself, chatting with visitors in the event’s Gourmet Food Marquee, signing copies of his latest book, and giving several demonstrations each day showcasing his unique talent for cooking.

Novelli comments: “I am delighted to be associated with the Durham City Food Festival 2012. The North East is home to a fantastic wealth and breadth of talented producers and chefs who are passionate about their food. The Festival offers an excellent chance to celebrate the region’s riches and bring local produce to the fore. By including national and international producers as well, it also offers an opportunity to incorporate many other exciting flavours and tastes, beyond the usual British culinary experience. The Festival is flying the flag for quality and diversity and I am pleased to be a part of it.”

During the Festival, on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October, an enormous Gourmet Food Marquee on Palace Green will feature over 100 food retailers, including a wide range of independent food producers from right across Cumbria and the North East . Products on offer will include everything from fine wines, marinades, meat and fish to pies, puddings, cakes, organic vegetables and fruit.

In addition to Jean Christophe’s chef demonstrations, the Gourmet Food Marquee will also include live demonstrations by several other renowned regional chefs, including Durham restaurant owner Bill Oldfield, Bob Aurora from Sachins Indian Restaurant in Newcastle, and Durham University’s Executive Chefs.

Other weekend entertainment on Palace Green, between the Cathedral and the Castle, will include free entertainment for children, including face-painting, juggling, a static falconry display, tours of Durham Castle, tours of the University’s Palace Green Library Exhibition, and performances from a wide range of local musicians.

The Gourmet Food Marquee will be open on Saturday 27th October from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday 28th October from 10am to 4:30pm. Entrance to the Marquee will cost £4.50 per adult, or £4.00 for those booking in advance through the Food Festival website, www.durhamfoodfestival.com. This cost includes entry to the chef demonstrations and entry to both the exhibitions in Palace Green Library and the Castle tours, subject to availability, on both the Saturday and Sunday.

For further information on all aspects of Durham City Food Festival 2012, please visit www.durhamfoodfestival.com, join the Facebook page ‘Durham City Food Festival’ or find the Festival on Twitter at ‘FoodDurham’. For further information on Jean-Christophe Novelli, please visit www.jeanchristophenovelli.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Georgina Wilczek .