FOOD fans in Oxfordshire are getting ready for this year’s fast-approaching Foodies Festival.

The three-day event, supported by the Oxford Mail, will be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend and thousands of food lovers are set to descend on Oxford’s South Park (see two-for-one ticket offer, right).

From August 28-30, a wealth of fine food and drink will be showcased alongside demonstrations from Michelin-starred and other top chefs.

This is the first time the festival has come to Oxford, but it has proved successful over the past four years in Edinburgh and at Hampton Court Palace.

Foodies spokesman Roben Hera promised the event would be a fantastic day out for the family.

She said: “I have always wanted to bring the Foodies Festival to Oxford because I grew up here and I know there is a big foodie following.

“We are hoping about 15,000 people will turn up over the weekend for all the live demos, food and drink masterclasses and live entertainment.

“There will even be classes for kids to learn how to cook.”

Dozens of chefs from the best restaurants around Oxfordshire will be displaying their talents and passing on their tips.

They include TV chef Martin Blunos, Chris Bentham from The Black Boy, The Randolph Hotel’s Ainsroy Bennett and Carson Hill, from the Cherwell Boathouse.

Mr Hill, who has been head chef at the Boathouse for six years, said he was excited about appearing at the event.

He said: “I’ll be running a live cooking demonstration in the chefs’ theatre. I’ve done some promotional videos on YouTube before, but never any live cooking.

“I’m excited but also very nervous at the same time.

“I’m a perfectionist and so I want to get it right, as cooking is something I love and spend 65 to 75 hours doing every week.

“Most of it is spent in my own zone, so it’s nerve-wracking to do it in front of an audience – but it sounds like a fantastic event.”

Foodie spokesman Ms Hera said the event was the “grand finale” of their shows this season, following events in Leeds, Edinburgh and Hampton Court Palace.

The event at Hampton Court in May attracted 21,000 people and included book signings from TV’s Nadia Sawalha and Paul Merrett of The Victoria.

There was also a double-act performance from Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi, fresh from their appearance on Saturday Kitchen.

Ms Hera said Oxford’s event had the potential to be as successful.

She added: “We are all really excited about bringing the festival to Oxford, especially at a location as lovely as South Park.

“And I want people to know they don’t have to be a dedicated foodie to enjoy the weekend, because I wasn’t when I started this job.

“It is just for anyone who likes their food and drink and is looking for a nice day out.”

For tickets or more details on the Foodie Festival, visit foodiesfestival.com or phone 0871 2305573