Thousands expected in town for Leamington Food and Drink Festival

Now in its seventh year, the Leamington Food and Drink Festival, which runs from Saturday to Sunday, is centred on the Pump Room Gardens and involves restaurants, pubs and butchers.

Organisers BID Leamington said last year it drew around 25,000 visitors.

Attractions this year include celebrity chef Brian Turner showing off his culinary skills and the Live Kitchen will feature demonstrations by restaurants.

Finalists in the Home Cook of the Year competition on Sunday will be judged by Turner and Michelin-star chef Andreas Antona, of the original Simpsons in Kenilworth, and The Cross, also in the town.

After much competition, the four contestants for the award have been chosen - and include Warwick district councillor Sue Gallagher from Haseley Knob; Oxford University researcher Alex Stiby from Leamington; NHS health education specialist Kate Reddington, also from Leamington; and Jaguar Land Rover engineer Dario Canevazzi from Italy.

All four finalists were shortlisted on the basis of submitting their most favourite three course menu, which included a cold starter, a hot main course using Aubrey Allen’s Cornish lamb and their very best dessert.

Each will be cooking their nominated lamb main course and providing their pre-prepared starter and dessert for tastings at the live cook-off at 12noon on Sunday.

There will also be a children’s cookery school and the hugely-popular Taste Trail makes a return with around 800 tasters available at ten restaurants in Leamington. Other attractions include gin tasting, beer and food pairings, bread making and barbecue and butchery demonstrations.

There will be music on the bandstand, and as well as acts from the Leamington area, entertainment will also include the Canalside Ceilidh Collective and the Jazulu Jazz Trio.

In addition, Stagecoach Theatre Arts School will perform a special performance inspired by the Mad Hatters Tea Party.