The Heaton Park Food Festival is set to see the return of culinary experts from across the region, including MasterChef and The Great British Bake Off stars.

Organisers are putting the final touches to a jam-packed programme of entertainment, with the festival set to take place at the park on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a live cookery theatre, hosted by Food Sorcery, which will be showcasing professional chefs from around the region for five demonstrations a day.

The line-up features some familiar faces including MasterChef 2022 winner Eddie Scott, and 2020 Bake Off contestant Makbul Patel, from Bolton.

Also taking to the stage are local chefs and restauranteurs, including Food Sorcery Cooking School’s Chorchaba Harper who will showcase fragrant Thai dishes.

The festival will host a huge variety of international street food traders, serving freshly made Italian, Lebanese, Greek, Canadian, Indian and Mexican specialities, alongside others.

The artisan market will boast more than 80 independent producers selling everything from cakes, cookies, brownies and sweet treats, to cheese, olives, pies, spirits, spices and meats.

A selection of tipples will be served up at a range of independent bars including ciders, gins and cocktails, with Yorkshire brewery North Brew Co, which providing a selection of beers and ales.

Barista coffee, soft drinks and freshly squeezed lemonades will also be available.

The festival will also host break-through music acts with a live stage welcoming musicians, solo performers and bands to perform original songs as well as popular covers.

A family-friendly live entertainment area is set to dazzle attendees of all ages with awe-inspiring magic shows, alongside stilt walking chefs, roaming comedy street performances and princess meet and greets.

Activities also include a traditional fun fair, inflatables, arts and crafts, animal exhibits, axe throwing and much more.

Festival coordinator Hannah Dewhirst said: “We’re thrilled to be arriving at Heaton Park next weekend and can’t wait to welcome families for a jam-packed weekend of food and entertainment."

The highly anticipated festival will support the work of mental health charity Manchester Mind.

The festival which includes dates across the North has raised more than £65,000 for Mind and organisers hope to continue fundraising events throughout the year.

Dogs are welcome at the festival, with specialist market traders offering treats and accessories for four-legged family members.

A ‘dog bar’ can be found outside the main bar with fresh water.

Thousand are expected to attend on 20th & 21st August - for info and tickets visit https://heatonparkfoodfestival.com/