A READY Steady Cook-style contest is to be held in Darlington next week.

Shoppers will see cooks challenged to prepare a first-class feast from the products available in the town's farmers' market.

The contest is being held on Friday as part of the Foodiefest weekend of events to celebrate the variety and high standard of food available in the Tees Valley.

During the competition, Middlesbrough opera singer Suzannah Clarke will team up with Adam Robson, a qualified chef and former Darlington College student.

She will be up against Sharon Griffiths, a columnist for The Northern Echo, and chef Darren Parkhill, from Darlington's Atlantic Bar and Grill restaurant.

They will each have £10 to spend on ingredients during a 15-minute shopping spree in the market, followed by 30 minutes to create a dish.

The event will be hosted by Annie Stirk, a food expert and chef who has presented on various programmes including ITV's This Morning.

An audience of shoppers will then get the chance to judge the best dish.

Students from Darlington College will also be giving out free samples of soup in the indoor market from 11am.

It is part of a competition among the college's catering students to come up with soup recipes only using products bought from the indoor market.

Darlington College tutor Rebecca Dougill said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for students to show off their skills and develop their culinary talents by working with professional chefs.

"It is also important for us all to realise that top quality produce can be sourced locally."

For more information about Foodiefest log on to www.foodiefest.com or call (01642) 724816.