A TOWN’S first dedicated celebration of local eateries and food producers has received the backing of dozens of businesses and its local MP.

Stokesley Food Week gets underway on Saturday, (October 3) and runs until Saturday (October 10) and will showcase the wide variety of restaurants, cafes, pubs and other food-related businesses in the market town.

The week has already gained support from a range of local businesses providing offers for the event.

The town’s largest employer, Quorn, is supporting it by providing samples and recipe cards on the High Street, alongside the monthly Stokesley Farmers’ Market, which will also be holding special events.

Chefs from local restaurants will be carrying out demonstrations and tasting sessions, while St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church in the town will also be holding a fundraising ‘frugal lunch’ event between 12.15pm and 1.30pm on Saturday, October 10.

The week has been organised by Stokesley Parish Council and a host of local volunteers who have donated their professional services for free, including Anna Addison Associations and Catch Design Management.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak praised the parish council and local community for organising the event. He said: “Food and drink, and particularly interest in local provenance, is a growing part of our economy and I am sure the event will help related businesses in Stokesley make the most of the opportunities available.”

Ian Blakemore, Stokesley parish councillor, said: “The support we’ve had for Stokesley Food Week has been fantastic - it’s great to see so many local businesses pulling together.”

Stewart Brennan, parish councillor, said in the future the town may consider hosting its own food and drink festival: “The aim is to showcase what the town has to offer, give businesses a boost and - long term - perhaps even consider our own food and drink festival.”

For more details of offers and events at the food week, visit: www.facebook.com/StokesleyFoodWeek/