Some of the North West’s best chefs will be sharing their skills at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival with dozens of free demonstrations over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
The festival, supported by headline sponsor Aldi, always brings some of the biggest names in cooking to the town centre and this year will be no different.
Visitors can see multi-Michelin star-winning Jean-Christophe cook up a storm in our FREE regional chef demos - one of more than 30 chef sessions entirely free to attend.
And as one of the food world’s best-known celebrity chefs, he is also the star attraction on Sunday 29th August for An Audience with Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Festival goers can get up close and personal with acclaimed chef Novelli, who is on a mission to change the view that French cuisine is difficult and time-consuming to prepare.
Attendees can ask him questions about his career – or even for his top tips on cooking the perfect Tarte Tatin.
For £25 per head, guests will be fed and watered throughout the event, with three fabulous courses from the Mayor of Bolton’s recently published recipe book and drinks courtesy of headline sponsor Aldi.
Ruth Doyle, Regional Managing Director at Aldi added: “This will be our 6th year supporting the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and we are really proud to be the headline sponsor once again.
“There are some great local chefs who will be cooking up a storm at this year’s festival, so we’d encourage you to come on down to see and taste their creations for yourself. We’ll also be at the event throughout the weekend, giving people the chance to try a selection of our award-winning products.”
Bolton Food and Drink Festival is made possible thanks to a wide range of sponsors and supporters.
These include headline sponsors Aldi and premier sponsors Warburtons, the nation’s favourite baker.
They are joined by main sponsors Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Bolton Council’s Community Champions programme.
Further support comes from event partners Robertson, Impression, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Bolton at Home, Carrs Pasties, Market Place Shopping Centre, the University of Bolton and City Fibre.
An Audience with Jean-Christophe Novelli - Sunday 29th August
- 1pm: One session only - book early to avoid disappointment.
- Three courses (including meat and fish): Starter, Main and Dessert – please advise dietary requirements when booking (vegetarian and vegan substitute courses available).
- Ticket event, suitable for those over 12 years old
- Price: £25 per head.
Free Regional Chefs Demos
All completely FREE to watch.
The festival is celebrating our region’s finest chefs with some talented experts.
With cookery demonstrations both in the fantastic Bolton Market on Friday and Saturday and demos in our Chef Zone in Market Place Shopping Centre over all four days, you’re sure to have some fun, and pick up some top tips and new ideas.
The amazing cooking talent on show this year includes many well-known Bolton and Lancashire names.
Our regional chefs are much-loved local food heroes, and their sessions are listed below in this day-to-day guide.
Bolton Market Chef Demo line up
Friday 27th
10.30am Nick Cullen, Nick’s Restaurant
Nick has a 20-year reputation from his Nick’s Restaurant, bringing culinary flair and metropolitan flavour to a small corner of Bolton.
11.30am Alain Job, Nkono
Local chef Alain runs the popular Nkono food stall at Bolton Market. He won the Guardian/O2 Innovative Catering Business award.
12.30pm Gareth Mason
Gareth is group executive chef of the Retreat Restaurant Group and likes to make simple food well!
1.30pm Jon Jones
A chef and pastry chef for 22 years, Jon now owns and runs The Grumpy Baker, making everything from celebration cakes to flavoured breads and afternoon tea boxes.
2.30pm Robert Owen Brown
Robert’s career began at Manchester’s famous Midland Hotel. He creates dishes from imaginative use of the finest local produce and is a familiar voice from Jay Rayner’s Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet show.
Saturday 28th
10.00am Sushma Solanki
The owner of Sushma's Snacks runs cookery classes and works as a private chef, catering for events, wedding parties, funerals, outdoor events and artisan markets.
11.00am Alain Job, Nkono
Local chef Alain runs the popular Nkono food stall at Bolton Market. He won the Guardian/O2 Innovative Catering Business award.
12noon Gareth Mason
Gareth is group executive chef of the Retreat Restaurant Group and likes to make simple food well!
1.00pm David Smart
Managing Director of family run, established craft bakers, Greenhalgh’s, David is a fantastic baker in his own right.
2.00pm Maria Grieco
Dinner at Maria’s began after Maria started hosting supper clubs in 2012 to fundraise for local charities. She also works as a private chef with regular pop ups with Cuckoo Gin.
3.00pm Jon Jones
A chef and pastry chef for 22 years, Jon now owns and runs The Grumpy Baker, making everything from celebration cakes to flavoured breads and afternoon tea boxes.
Chef Zone (former Zara Unit), Market Place Shopping Centre – line up
Friday 27th
11am Launch event with special Guest: Anjali Pathak
Anjali is a respected chef, food writer and cookery teacher who learned Indian cookery from a young age. Anjali, of the family behind Indian cuisine brand Patak’s, has published cookbook Secrets From My Indian Family and has been shortlisted for awards for her work with Indian food and international flavours.
12.30pm Rob Owen Brown
Rob’s career began at Manchester’s famous Midland Hotel. He creates dishes from imaginative use of the finest local produce and is a familiar voice from Jay Rayner’s Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet show.
1.30pm Tom Taylor
Tom is the force behind the Cherry Tree Bar and Restaurant in Blackrod, voted winner of the best restaurant in Bolton in 2020. The family-owned restaurant and bar serves classic British cooking using fresh Lancashire produce.
2.30pm Anjali Pathak
Anjali is a respected chef, food writer and cookery teacher who learned Indian cookery from a young age. Anjali, of the family behind Indian cuisine brand Patak’s, has published cookbook Secrets From My Indian Family and has been shortlisted for awards for her work with Indian food and international flavours.
3.30pm Gareth Mason
Gareth is group executive chef of the Retreat Restaurant Group and likes to make simple food well!
4.30pm Sushma Solanki
The owner of Sushma's Snacks runs cookery classes and works as a private chef, catering for events, wedding parties, funerals, outdoor events and artisan markets.
Saturday 28th
10.30am Maria Greico
Dinner at Maria’s began after Maria started hosting supper clubs in 2012 to fundraise for local charities. She also works as a private chef with regular pop ups with Cuckoo Gin.
11.30am Nigel Haworth
Nigel plans to re-open The Three Fishes in Mitton in October ‘21 after a major refurb. The Michelin-star chef was born in Whalley, Lancashire, where his food roots remain. His culinary journey covers London, Scotland and Switzerland, before returning home as Head Chef at then Northcote Manor in 1984, where in 1995, he celebrated being Egon Ronay Chef of The Year and his first Michelin star in 1996, which he still retains.
12.30pm Marc Molé
Marc Molé was born and raised in Paris and trained and worked in Washington D.C. He is head chef and owner of Bistro Marc at Winter’s, a family-run French bistro in Stockport's Grade II listed building, Winter’s, opening in autumn 2021.
1.30pm Doug Crampton
Head chef at James Martin Manchester, Doug Crampton started his career in Leeds’ 3 AA Rosette Anthony’s Restaurant. He came over to Manchester235 casino to head up the launch of James Martin Manchester.
2.30pm Nigel Haworth
Nigel plans to re-open The Three Fishes in Mitton in October after a major refurb. The Michelin-star chef was born in Whalley, Lancashire, where his food roots remain. His culinary journey covers London, Scotland and Switzerland, before returning home as Head Chef at then Northcote Manor in 1984, where in 1995, he celebrated being Egon Ronay Chef of The Year and his first Michelin star in 1996, which he still retains.
3.30pm David Smart
Managing Director of family run, established craft bakers, Greenhalgh’s, David is a fantastic baker in his own right.
4.30pm Makbul Patel
Self-taught Bolton born baker Mak appeared on series 11 of TV’s Great British Bake Off 2020. The accountant, from Sharples, began cooking at home to support his mother. He is also a beekeeper and produces his own honey, which he uses in his bakes.
Sunday 29th
10.30am Kishan Kant, Sai Spice
Award winning chef, including Singapore Chef of the Year, Kishnan has three decades’ experience of cooking great food. He worked at Spice Valley before opening his first restaurant Sai Spice in Farnworth.
11.30am Special guest: Jean-Christophe Novelli
Award winning Chef Jean-Christophe has a passion for food and wealth of culinary knowledge.
12.30pm Marc Molé
Marc Molé was born and raised in Paris and trained and worked in Washington D.C. He is head chef and owner of Bistro Marc at Winter’s, a family-run French bistro in Stockport's Grade II listed building, Winter’s, opening in autumn 2021.
1.30pm Andrew George
Andrew George works as a chef, food scientist and catering lecturer and his business Icky Sticky Cakes prides itself on making delicious gluten-free friand cakes.
2.30pm Gareth Mason
Gareth is group executive chef of the Retreat Restaurant Group and likes to make simple food well!
3.30pm Special guest: Jean-Christophe Novelli
Award winning Chef Jean-Christophe has a passion for food and wealth of culinary knowledge.
Monday 30th
10.30am Scott Bannon
Bury born and bred, self-taught chef Scott has worked in pub and restaurants around Lancashire in 35 years. Scott owns and is chef at the Boars Head country pub in Hoghton.
11.30am Simon Wood, Wood Restaurant
2015 MasterChef Champion Simon wowed judges with his classic flavour combinations, and now runs successful restaurant Wood Manchester.
12.30pm Doug Crampton
Head chef at James Martin Manchester, Doug started his career in Leeds’ 3 AA Rosette Anthony’s Restaurant. He came over to Manchester235 casino to head up the launch of James Martin Manchester.
1.30pm Andrew Nutter
A former Manchester Chef of the Year, Andrew opened Nutters near Rochdale, at the age of 21, and has recently opened The Bird at Birtle, Heywood.
2.30pm Simon Wood
Former MasterChef Champion Simon wowed judges with his classic flavour combinations, and now runs successful restaurant Wood Manchester.
3.30pm Scott Bannon
Bury born and bred, self-taught chef Scott has worked in pub and restaurants around Lancashire in 35 years. Scott owns and is chef at the Boars Head country pub in Hoghton.
4.30pm Sushma Solanki
The owner of Sushma's Snacks runs cookery classes and works as a private chef, catering for events, wedding parties, funerals, outdoor events and artisan markets.
For detailed information and timings visit www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com, search Bolton Food and Drink Festival on Facebook and follow @boltonfoodfest on Twitter and Instagram.