YORK SET FOR A RECORD BREAKING FEAST-IVAL

Famous nun Sister Agatha Leach, Frank Green of the Treasurer’s House and TV MasterChef finalist Sara Danesin Medio will cook up a storm for the public when they host “Dine at My Table” events at their York homes for this year’s popular food festival.

Sister Agatha will host guests at England’s oldest living convent the Bar Convent in York, while Sara will entertain at her very own dining table as part of York Food & Drink Festival which this year is themed Dine at My Table. Guests can also ‘step back in time’ with a tour around Frank Green’s home, York’s historical Treasurer’s House, and be served by his servants.

Dine At My Table will be one of a stream of eclectic foodie events held throughout the Festival from September 16 to 25, which could see up to half a million visitors flock to the city of York.

The Queen's 2nd Ghurkha Signal regiment from Nepal will whip up authentic Nepalese Ghurkha curries to raise money for SSAFA (North Yorkshire division of The Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association).

Meanwhile Yorkshire chefs who went head-to-head in TV’s Great British Menu will battle it out once again in a nail-biting live cook-off compered by food writer Elaine Lemm, author of the Great Book of Yorkshire Pudding.

The Great British Menu Revisited will see winner Andrew Pern (of the Star Inn at Harome) defend his crown when he takes on Stephanie Moon (From Rudding Park) and Tim Bilton (Of the Butcher’s Arms) as they reproduce their TV menus for visitors.

Michael Hjort, Director of York Food and Drink Festival, said: “Last year saw 444,000 visitors at the festival and with the amazing line-up we have this year, we are sure to beat that!”

With its myriad of stalls and demonstrations, York Food & Drink Festival will showcase the cream of the crop of Yorkshire produce.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “York Food & Drink Festival is a fantastic celebration of the very best produce that Yorkshire has to offer.

“With TV chefs showcasing their talents as well as a brilliant Dine at My Table theme, this year’s Festival looks set to be bigger and better than ever.”

This year’s “Dine at My Table” theme celebrates food in Yorkshire through diverse venues, cultures and personalities to be found in the city.

As well as dinners with nun Sister Agatha and Master chef finalist Sara Danesin Medio, there will also be the chance to sample authentic Spanish and Indian food as well as dining in style with some of Yorkshire’s finest chefs who will be cooking for the City’s Lord Mayor at the Mansion House and stepping back in time at the Treasurer’s House.

Other events include the comical Yorkshire Vision Sausage Contest which is a parody of the Euro Vision Song Contest. The event sees the compere and guests sampling, speculating and speaking in foreign accents as they choose, albeit unfairly, who will win this much coveted award!

And Monday 19 September will give visitors the chance to sample and vote for the Yorkshire Post Reader’s Award, which is announced at a glittering Taste of Yorkshire’ Awards Dinner on the following Friday evening (23 rd).

York Food & Drink Festival runs from 16 th – 25 th September 2011 and the ticket line goes live from the 4 th July. See http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com