Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will lead the chef line-up at this year’s Leeds Castle Food Festival, which takes place from Friday 8^th September to Sunday 10^th September in the castle’s magnificent grounds in Maidstone, Kent. The 900 year old castle is set within 500 acres of parkland and formal gardens including a maze and grotto.

The Festival will feature over 70 food and drink stalls including local Kent producers, children’s workshops and cookery classes, as well as wine and beer pairings. New for this year will be a Talks and Tastings Hub with a full programme of free talks and demonstrations with opportunities to taste, learn, meet and talk with top chefs and producers. These will include Ivor Peters, the Urban Rajah and Anna Carera from Cooking Vacations, who runs a cookery school in Lake Garda, Italy.

credit: Leeds Castle

William Prosser from organisers Fantastic British Food Festivals, says “There’s something for the whole family at this year’s show whether it’s sampling food from Kent producers, attending a children’s workshop, chatting to top chefs or exploring the adventure playground – all in the beautiful setting of Kent Castle.”

There will be plenty of fun activities for children of all ages including garden games, a storyteller and face painting, as well as Leeds Castle’s adventure playgrounds, maze and grotto. Roaming musicians the Silk street Jazz Band will provide musical entertainment.

credit: Leeds Castle

Visitors will find regional produce such as pulled pork from Apple and Cor!; gourmet burgers from Rad Burger Co, sweet and savoury crepes from Hit the Spot, as well as jams and chutneys from Sugar & Spice and Campbell’s Chutney, locally produced cider from The Kent Cider Company and locally produced gins and vodkas from Wild Spirits of Kent. For more information, visit www.fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com.

Tickets are included in your entry to Leeds Castle and grounds. Annual tickets cost £24.90 for adults; £21.90 for seniors and visitors with disabilities (carer goes free); £16.90 for children (under 4s free). Visit www.leeds-castle.com/Visit