TWO top chefs battled the heat and the clock as they faced off in a Ready, Steady, Cook-style showdown at Bolton Food And Drink Festival.

Manchester House's Aiden Byrne and Andrew Nutter, owner of Nutters, wowed the audience yesterday as they each attempted to cook the tastiest selection of dishes in just 20 minutes.

Andrew created a a chorizo and spring onion souffle omelette and two desserts — a peach and grape eggy bread with a light topping of caramel alongside an orange and passion fruit creme brulee.

Meanwhile Aiden served up a fricassee made with mushrooms, smoked bacon, red wine, garlic, thyme and chicken.

The other was a sea bass dish served with red peppers, chili, chorizo, thyme, mussels and white wine vinegar.

Despite only finding out the ingredients right before the show, the pair impressed the judges chosen from the audience — Lisa Orrell and Scott Bannon.

But there could only be one winner, and Andrew came out on top.

The victor, who was marking his seventh festival, said: "The people out here are here to enjoy themselves, hence why at the demo today we were just bouncing off each other.

"It was not about who was going to win, it is just showcasing food to the Boltonians.

"The buzz here at the festival is enthralling."

Aiden, who was at his fourth festival, said: "It was pretty intense up there, the stove kept going off and the lights were so hot.

"But it was great, the festival has been amazing. I think they should do more of this. A lot of chefs that come along just have so much banter together.

"I do a lot of food festivals and one thing that stands out for me at Bolton Food Festival is it completely consumes the town.

"You can not come to town without being in the festival. This just take over the whole town.

"And there's nothing pretentious, it's just honest."