Ludlow Food Festival celebrates 20th anniversary

Over 180 producers will be exhibiting in Ludlow Castle over the weekend and outside in the Market Square on Sunday.

Some of the hottest talents from around the UK will be at the festival cooking up a storm today. Hosted by Marcus Bean from Brompton Cookery School there will be an exciting and eclectic mix of chefs from across the UK including Jon Gay, Head Chef at Jimmy's Farm and Great British Menu star Emily Watkins from the Kingham Plough in the Cotswolds.

Chef Dan Doherty from the UK's highest restaurant The Duck and Waffle in the City of London will also be taking to the stage. Festival directors are also delighted to welcome Franck Pontais born and trained in Paris, he is a UK Iron Chef Winner, has worked for Harrods and Selfridges and cooked for many 'A' List celebrities. The first Great British Bake-Off winner Ed Kimber will be sharing his baking secrets and successes. If you can't make Friday don't worry as two stages will be packed full of great chefs, producers and writers throughout the weekend.

For visitors who want a really memorable experience then the Taste Workshops are a must. Lasting an hour, you and a room of likeminded people will be treated to a true culinary experience tasting exquisite cuisine, asking questions and meeting the chefs and producers behind the dishes. From £10 Taste Workshops are the perfect opportunity to try something completely new, discover a different take on your favourite ingredients and share the passion of those who wow us with flavour.

There's lots of activities for kids big and small this year and each child will receive a free activity pack. Learn circus skills, partake in the Banana Science workshops and salivate over glorious food photography (including photos by children) at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms. FREE kids cookery classes in the moat run throughout the weekend but book when you arrive as spaces will go fast! As well as introducing your children to new flavours at the festival, they can learn all about food's journey with smallholding entrepreneur Sam Gray or why not get involved with a pottery class - you get to take home what you make! There's also music around every corner, cheerleading workshops, morris dancer and MUCH more so there really is something for everyone, young and old!

The Ludlow Food Festival runs from Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September in Ludlow Castle and throughout the town centre. Adult tickets cost £8.50, child tickets (ages 5-13) cost £2.00, under 5's go free and family tickets (two adults and up to four children) cost £20.00. Concessions, group bookings and weekend tickets are also available.