Two more celebrity chefs confirmed for Bishop Auckland Food Festival

Sunday's line-up for this year's Bishop Auckland Food Festival (left to right): Chris Bavin, Janusz Domagala, Kenny Tutt, and Sandro Farmhouse

The festival, which we run, pulled in a record 30,000 visitors last year and returns to the town on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April.

A weekend of delicious food and fantastic entertainment is in store, with some well-known faces taking to the stage throughout.

Organisers of the hugely popular event recently confirmed Saturday's cookery demonstrations line-up of Phil Vickery, Rachel Allen and Janusz Domagala.

Kenny Tutt

And now they've confirmed the Sunday line-up, starting with MasterChef 2018 winner, Kenny Tutt.

Kenny co-founded PITCH Restaurant & Cookery School with his wife Lucy in his hometown of Worthing just a year after winning the prestigious title.

He's also headlined food festivals and events across the UK and cites Keith Floyd, Gary Rhodes, Paul Rankin, Jamie Oliver, and Rick Stein among his influences when growing up.

A self-confessed burger nerd, Kenny continues to bring new ideas to the kitchen, and most recently launched a brand-new concept, Patty Guy.

Under the Patty Guy brand, he's created a menu of smashed burgers, sides and shakes which have launched at Shelter Hall in Brighton and at Sessions in Islington, London.

Sandro Farmhouse

Kenny will share Sunday's stage with Great British Bake Off 2022 runner-up, Sandro Farmhouse.

A passionate baker, Sandro has dedicated his free time to creating show-stopping cakes and desserts.

His delectable creations have won the hearts of foodies everywhere, especially in the Great British Bake Off.

From cakes to cookies, and everything in between, Sandro is buzzing with excitement to meet festivalgoers who love the art of cooking just as much as him.

Janusz Domagala

Completing the Sunday line-up is Sandro's fellow 2022 Bake Off contestant, Janusz Domagala, aka "Janusz".

Janusz, who is also a headliner in the Saturday line-up, moved to the UK from Poland 11 years ago.

The 34-year-old baker not only achieved his dream of appearing on the show but also went through to the semi-finals.

Janusz's popularity with the British and international public has grown throughout his journey, and he was named one of Heat magazine's 2022 Stars of the Year.

A keen LGBT+ activist, Janusz has featured on CBBC's Saturday Mashup and was a guest in the Christmas special of Channel 4's The Last Leg.

All three celebrity chefs will be wowing visitors with their mouth-watering food demonstrations on Sunday 23 April.

And they'll be joined by crowd favourite and TV presenter Chris Bavin, who returns as host across both days.

"What a line-up!"

Details of all of the food traders, family entertainment, and cookery workshops are set to be announced very soon.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "Year after year we bring a fantastic line-up of celebrity chef guests to Bishop Auckland Food Festival and this year's line-up is a real treat.

"We're delighted to add Kenny and Sandro to our Sunday programme along with Janusz who, along with our wonderful presenter Chris Bavin, will be with us for both days. With Saturday's guests, Phil and Rachel, that completes the line-up and what a line-up it is!

"With these kinds of names we're expecting to pull in visitors from far and wide, which is great for the town. We've got lots still to come, and it won't be long before we can share full details of the traders, workshops and entertainment.

"It's all shaping up very nicely indeed. Bishop Auckland Food Festival is one of the highlights of our events calendar and a big part of our ambitions for Durham as the culture county."

Bishop Auckland Food Festival is just one of the many cultural events taking place in County Durham this year, cementing Durham's position as the 'culture county' and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to cultural-led regeneration.

This includes delivering key projects within County Durham's shortlisted UK City of Culture bid; progressing major capital projects and raising the county's profile as a fantastic place to live, work, visit and invest.

Bishop Auckland Food Festival is supported by Bishop Auckland Town Council and our Towns & Villages programme.