Thousands of food lovers descended on Oxford’s South Park this weekend for the second Foodies Festival.

Outbreaks of rain failed to dampen the spirits of gastronomes as they enjoyed delicious food and drink, plus a grounding in some of the tricks of the trade from cookery masters.

Among the demonstrators in The Chefs’ Theatre was Gary Jones, executive chef at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton, and Michelin-starred Mike North of The Nut Tree, Murcott.

Between 15,000 to 20,000 people are expected to attend the festival between Saturday and today.

Organiser Roben Hera said: “It’s been great apart from the odd rain shower but as there are activities going on all the time, people can shelter from them.

“There’s a great audience in Oxford because there aren’t a huge number of events like it in the area, so people are very excited to come to an event like Foodies.”

Tom Lockwood, from Faringdon chutney makers Gilly’s said: “It’s nice, the people are lovely.

“I hope I get to see some of the cooking demonstrations later because it’s always good to see other people in the trade.”

Bob Nielsen, from Wallingford’s Brightwell Vineyard, called for similar events.

He said: “Oxfordshire doesn’t cash in on its advantages enough, because we have some of the warmest weather in the country and less rainfall than Cornwall.

“People love this sort of thing because they can start to see and sample things that are different.”

John Lovett, from Marsh Gibbon-based Oxfordshire Ales added: “It’s a chance to promote our own local produce, which is fantastic.”

And Charlotte Buller, from the Natural Bread Company in Wantage, found plenty of takers for an array of buns, breads, and pastries.

She said: “It’s really nice to see the community coming together at an event like this.”

Some of the youngest ‘foodies’ on the field included one-year-old Dylan Crook, from Henley, who was enjoying the festival with his mother, Rebecca Crook.

She said: “The weather could be better but it seems to be a really nice atmosphere. I hope there will be a few things for Dylan to try, there seems to be quite a bit of variety.”

The festival continues today with gates opening at 11am.