HE is the bad boy celebrity chef who famously made a young Gordon Ramsey cry.

But Marco Pierre White was on his best behaviour yesterday for the second Liverpool Food and Drink Festival in a sun-soaked Sefton Park.

Organisers estimate 30,000 people visited this year’s festival to meet the Hells Kitchen star and sample gourmet treats from 60 Liverpool bars and restaurants.

They also enjoyed cooking demonstrations from the city’s talented chefs, live music and a “cook-off” between Radio City’s Simon Ross and staff from Delifonseca.

Michelin star-winning White charmed the crowds who packed into the festival to see him, signing autographs and copies of his books and giving a kiss on the cheek to everyone who asked.

During his appearance he also gave a masterclass to four budding teenage chefs from Broadgreen High School.

He told the Daily Post it was his first visit to Liverpool – but said he was impressed at the standard of food at the festival.

He said: “I like Liverpool and everyone was very welcoming today.

“I thought the food here was of a very good standard although I had to stop eating at one stall because everyone wanted their photo taken with me.

“What I liked about the festival was that lots of people who might not be able to afford to go to some of these restaurants on a regular basis were able to come here and try the food they serve.