A celebrity chef’s signature dish has been trailed before the return of Bolton’s renowned food and drink festival this year.

The Bolton Food and Drink Festival will be back for the 14th year running toward the end of August this year.

But to whet the appetites of would-be festival goers an event was held at Bolton Market’s Food Hall this week where the main attraction, a pasty dish by Ainsley Harriot was available to taste.

Alysia Vesey, an author also known as the Yorkshire Forager, said: “If you’ve ever been to Glastonbury, this is two and a half times the size of Glastonbury.”

She added: “It’s hugely popular, we’re here year after year and its fantastic that its going ahead.”

The signature jerk chicken pasty dishThe signature jerk chicken pasty dish (Image: Newsquest)

Alysia will be one of many participants at this year's festival where the signature dish will be jerk chicken pasty with run and pineapple chutney.

But those lucky enough to sample what will be on offer in just over a month’s time also got to try a range of dishes that will run through the different themes of the festival.

Guest had the chance to try the dishes for themselvesGuest had the chance to try the dishes for themselves (Image: Newsquest)

They had been prepared for the invited guests by students from Rumworth School, on Armadale Road, who were thrilled to be able to play their part.

As well as Ainsley Harriot’s jerk chicken pasties this also included James Martin’s strawberry gateau, which looks set to be one of the main attractions at the August event.

A range of courses were on offerA range of courses were on offer (Image: Newsquest)

Saturday Kitchen star James Martin is one of the stars most closely associated with the food festival, having returned to the event every year since its creation.

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Alysia said: “He absolutely loves it, he loves coming to the town.”

A more than appropriate venue has been found with Bolton Food Hall, a much anticipated extension to the market off Ashburner Street that opened earlier this year. 

Addressing an audience of discerning influencers Alysia explained how the new food hall has been key to the wider regeneration of the town itself.

This has included the new Elizabeth Park, just beyond the food hall on Ashburner Street which was the first new park created in Bolton in 100 years and was opened in March.