A FOOD festival featuring celebrity chefs and cooking masterclasses will arrive in Leatherhead this weekend.
According to organisers, the Leatherhead Food Festival will be the "first of its kind in the Surrey Hills" when it takes place on Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday.
The festival will "take over" the town centre and will involve an international food market, restaurants offering taster menus, and live demonstrations.
The event is the brainchild of self-confessed "food lover" William Prosser, who runs events company Competitive Edge Management in Church Street.
He said: "I wanted to showcase our wonderful restaurants and local food and drink to a wider audience while at the same time providing a wonderful day out for the whole family.
"I am used to putting on events but this one is personal and I am working with everyone in the town to make sure the Leatherhead Food Festival is both memorable and desirable for many years to come.
"I am very proud of our Surrey food credentials and hope we can boost business in the town by bringing everyone together for a wonderful show."
As well as a food market along High Street, held by local producers of "fine food and drink", there will be various activities at restaurants and other locations in the town.
There will be celebrity chef book signings and masterclasses with food experts such as Italian chef and author Valentina Harris.
The Leatherhead Theatre will also stage a series of live cooking demonstrations called Chefs in Show.
Jess Larmont, spokeswoman for the festival, said: "The event is designed to showcase the plethora of products created locally and regionally to food lovers and to reveal the restaurants' unique recipes and menus to a wider audience."
The Leatherhead Food Festival is free to attend.
For tickets for the masterclasses and the Chefs on Show demonstrations, call 01372 869648 or visit leatherheadfoodfestival.com
