THE CULINARY delights of Oxfordshire were on offer in Didcot this weekend, as the food festival returned to town.

The Didcot Food Festival, now in its fourth year, was held over two days this year due to ‘popular demand’ according to organisers.

The festival was held on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27.

There was indoor space for more than 50 artisan traders, the Kid’s Kooking Zone, chef’s theatre and a vintage tea room.

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Ed Nix.

Celebrities and top-class chefs joined the food festival to show off their best recipes and give advice on making their speciality dishes.

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2013 Great British Bake Off quarter finalist Christine Wallace took part in a joint demonstration with fellow former contestant Howard Middleton.

Ali Imdad who was on the programme with Christine and Howard showed how he is influenced by flavours from his travels and his culture.

Oxfordshire chef Nick Bennett who reached the final of MasterChef The Professionals in 2015 also demonstrated his cooking skills.

New for this year were two master classes on butchery skills and chocolate making.

Yvonne Everest from Chocolate Genie demonstrated how to make a chocolate basket with dipped marshmallows.

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Ed Nix.

There was also a magic show from duo Morgan and West, who combined their sleight of hand trickery with their love of food.

Following the festival, organisers thanked everyone who had supported the event.

They said: “Thanks to everyone who came to our food festival this weekend, traders, entertainers, chefs. helpers, visitors. Special thanks to Christine Wallace and her team for organising. It take a lot of work by a few people. Didcot is the benefit as all the proceeds go to put on Didcot’s Christmas Street Fair.”

The Christmas Street Fair will be held on Thursday, November 28, which will be themed around the carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.

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Before the fair there will be a gift and craft fair held in the town’s civic hall on Saturday, November 16, with funds raised also going towards the street fair.

The craft and gift fair takes place between 10.30am and 4pm, with entry at £1 per adult.

Artisan exhibitors will be selling a range of hand-made jewellery, knitted items, candles, scarves, and wood gifts.

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Yvonne Everest from Chocolate Genie. Picture: Ed Nix.

Refreshments will be available from Didcot Events.

Didcot’s mayor, Anthony Dearlove, will be presenting a pewter cup to the stall with the best display.

The winner will receive the Joyce Hall cup as well as a free stand at the 2020 Gift and Craft Fair.