FOOD festival visitors can sample culinary delights when Bishop Auckland College opens its doors for a series of workshops.

The college is to open for the first time during the town’s food festival this weekend (Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27).

There will be a series of culinary workshops and demonstrations on Saturday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

These include the 45 minute home-made sweet treats workshop at 10.30am, noon and 1.45pm where cinder toffee, marshmallows and hand-made chocolates will be made.

Catering staff and students will also deliver demonstrations on cooking rabbits, chicken and fish in the college’s new £200,000 kitchens from 9.30am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

Motor vehicle students will provide a car valet service and the college’s car park will be open to visitors.

Natalie Davison, college principal and chief executive, said: “The food industry is one of the strongest growth areas of employment in County Durham.

“The college has invested heavily in new catering and hospitality facilities to meet this industry demand, including the show kitchens and Ambition restaurant.

“We want to showcase them to the thousands of people visiting this weekend’s food festival.”

Park and ride services will run every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday from the college’s Woodhouse Lane campus from 9.15am and Perfect Homes and Gardens on the A6072 from 9.30am.

The last bus back to both places from the market place is at 4.30pm. There is a £2 charge for adults and 50p fee for children aged from three to 16-years-old.

For all food festival information visit the website at bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk