THOUSANDS of visitors are expected at Chester Racecourse over the Easter weekend for the eighth year of the city’s food festival.

The three-day event at the famous horse racing venue will see celebrity chefs providing cookery demonstrations and a celebration of the best of local producers.

Stephen Wundke, chairman of the Chester Food and Drink Festival, said: “Food is a wonderful experience, both the creation of great tastes and, of course, the enjoyment of sharing those tastes with friends and families.

“It is at events like these all over the country where you get to see our great chefs – Simon Rimmer, Andrew Nutter and Alan Coxon – and our host of local heroes, who inspire and lift the whole food agenda.”

The weekend will see a host of different events, such as wine, beer, Champagne and cheese tastings, cookery demonstrations and competitions.

It will include special offers at eating and drinking venues around Chester and Cheshire.

The festival will be at Chester racecourse’s main grandstand area.

Events there will include a large Producers Market, showcasing the district’s variety of produce, including cheeses, meats, fruit, vegetables, ice cream, shrimps, salmon, cider, homemade chocolates and preserves.

The main concourse housing the exhibitors will be surrounded by a food court featuring Cheshire restaurants, children’s entertainment and music.

The Leverhulme stand will host a main auditorium for seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Mr Wundke said: “Our region has an amazing wealth of fine foods and produce, as well as many fantastic eating and drinking venues.

“The aim of this festival is to encourage all the different sectors to work together to produce an event befitting our historic and exciting city, its residents and the tourists visiting our region.”

The festival pre-events started in February with the cheese-rolling competition on the ancient city’s cobbled streets, and has included special offers and events at restaurants, delis and off licenses, food markets and a beer festival.

The Taste Pavilion is the focal point of the festival and runs at Chester Racecourse from April 11-13.

Tickets cost £6 for adults and under-12s go free. Parking is also free for all visitors to the event at the racecourse.

FOR more information about other events happening over the Chester Food and Drink Festival, see www. chesterfoodanddrink.com