Bolton Food and Drink Festival: Everything to do, see and eat.

Bolton Food Festival is back and now in its 16th year, after the pandemic forced its cancellation last year.

Preparations have been taking place all week ­— with organisers promising there is something for everyone, from the very youngest to the oldest.

There will be cooking demonstrations, Punch and Judy shows, live music and performances and Alan Jobs’ lamb balls to serve, nobody will get bored this weekend.

Jean-Christophe Novelli

Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli staging a ticketed audience with food lovers as well free food demonstrations.

There will be Beer and Cheese Tasting on Saturday.

Forget wine and cheese have a taste of this delicious pairing with local brewery Wayoh Brewing Company and Chorlton Cheesemongers.

Highlights on Monday include a Microgreens Masterclass

Paul De Costa Greaves from Koppert Cress, the leading provider of micro-greens to chefs from across the globe will lead this entertaining and informative session.

Well renowned for its sustainable practices and the nutritional value of the food produced, Koppert Cress is leading the way when it comes to adding flavour and style to some of the most creative dishes and cocktails.

Foraging! In Queens Park will take place all weekend.

Forager, Colin Unsworth will take visitors n a walk of discovery around our town centre park – Queens Park – to uncover what nature’s larder has to offer.

There’s always something to be foraged from plants to berries and nuts to mushrooms, and expert forager Colin has a wealth of information about them all.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Martyn Cox said: “We’re looking forward to bringing back this ever-popular festival to Bolton this weekend.

“The town centre will be a vibrant place to be with all the music, entertainment and food and drink on offer.

“It’s fantastic to be able to support local businesses in this way.”

The Bolton Food and Drink Festival has returned for the 16th year.

Highlights of the festival are:

•Celebrity chef demos: regional and local chef cookery demos from celebrated chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will take place on 11.30am and 3.30pm Sunday and local heroes Simon Wood on 2.30pm Monday, and Anjali Pathak 2.30pm on Friday. All are free to attend.

•Kids’ fun: children’s entertainment with a seaside-themed family zone – complete with sandy beach in an open-side marquee and Punch and Judy shows. Plus Octagon Theatre family festival Fri 27 – Sun 29 August.

•Live music: the return of the Main Festival Music stage on Le Mans Crescent, and Victoria Square acoustic stage, both featuring daily headliners and brilliant local musical talent.

•Award-winning markets: our traders offer food from all four corners of the globe, from Indian street food to fish ‘n’ chips, plus fantastic arts and crafts.

•Great outdoors: a celebration of Bolton’s parks and green spaces with a Foodie Haven and Picnic Zone in the town centre’s Queens Park, including world foods and an obstacle course.

•Bolton Mela: Bolton station rail passengers entertained by music organised by the Hindu Forum, with food stalls run by Bolton Community Railway.

By the end of each day as the music rolls in, enjoy a drink at one of five bars located around the site – the Festival Bar on Le Mans Crescent and the Acoustic Bar on Victoria Square with music stages, Aldi’s Marquee on Victoria Square, and bar areas on Deansgate and in the Chef Zone in Market Place shopping centre.

A picnic area will also be erected at Queens Park with children’s activities, and a food offer all managed by the Pavilion Café.