Celebrity chefs in the kitchen

Published:

Jean-Christophe Novelli

Phil Vickery

Alan Coxon

TASTE of Grampian is a great day out for all the family, but for those who love watching celebrity chefs in action – and enjoy sampling high-quality local food and products – it’s nothing short of paradise.

Grampian is well known as being a chef’s larder, as the region produces some of finest smoked salmon, mouthwatering shortbread, delicious ice-cream, sumptuous prime roast beef, creamy fudge and whisky the world has to offer.

The festival is the ideal place to find out more about these fantastic products, and watch the celebrity chefs and guests make the most of them.

Two well-known celebrity chefs will also be appearing at the event. Phil Vickery is returning after making a huge impression on his previous visit and the nation’s favourite French chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, will be appearing for the first time.

Other demonstrators this year include Fi Bird, who will be showcasing products from oatmeal manufacturer Hamlyn’s as well as giving her own show; award-winning chef Alan Coxon; Tesco’s Donna Knight, and the north-east’s own Two Fat Laddies – Sandy Greig and Robert Bruce.

Loads of new attractions are planned for this year including a wine-tasting area and a champagne bar.

In addition, the festival will host the finals of competitions for SWRI members, primary and secondary schools and school cooks.

Celebrity chef demonstrations with Phil Vickery and Jean-Christophe Novelli take place in Ring 2; the schools competition and cooks competition take place in Ring 3; the Two Fat Laddies demonstrate in the outdoor arena, while the eXchange Hall has demonstrations throughout the day from, Siobhan Ingram, the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel and Spa chef, Taste the Nation and Makro. A Cutting of the Taste of Grampian 10th anniversary cake takes place there at 2.15pm.

A number of tickets for the celebrity chef cookery demonstrations will be available on the day.

JEAN-Christophe began his exciting career at the age of 14 as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, becoming head private chef to Elie de Rothschild in Paris before the age of 20.

Jean-Christophe's life changed completely when he arrived in Britain in 1983 and spent a year helping Keith Floyd, working as head chef in his pub, while the flamboyant Floyd filmed his TV shows.

In 1996, Jean-Christophe opened the first of his many restaurants, the Maison Novelli in Clerkenwell, London.

Some of his culinary accolades include AA Rosettes, European Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, which he has won several times.

Jean-Christophe is also a well-known TV chef with appearances not only on popular cookery programmes but on shows such as The Apprentice and MTV Cribs.

PHIL started his career in a seaside hotel in Folkestone Kent, after leaving college.

He then went to the Lake District to the famous Michael’s Nook Country House Hotel, where his food was rated the best in the lakes.

After six months touring Australia and New Zealand, he took up one of two stints at the world-famous Gravetye Manor in West Sussex, which is where he really found his love for great British produce and cooking. Since then, Phil has won many accolades, including, Michelin stars, Egon Ronay stars plus bar, and county restaurant and newcomer of the year in the Good Food Guide.

He has published six books to critical acclaim.

Phil has been a regular chef on the BBC’s Ready Steady Cook for 10 years, and has also been resident chef on ITV’s This Morning for the past eight years.

TV CHEF Alan Coxon combines his passion for food with his vast knowledge and interest for the earliest origins of ingredients.

Alan’s many years’ experience in the culinary arena has given him a strong understanding of the science of food and he likes to feed the mind as well as the palate.

His extensive knowledge of food’s origins, ingredients and history, combined with a brilliant sense of fun, has made Alan a regular face on TV screens around the globe. In turn, he was voted as one of the top 10 favourite TV chefs of the world in a BBC survey.

Alan presented two series of Ever Wondered About Food for BBC2, and is a regular on Great Food Live.