THE York Food and Drink Festival will come of age this autumn when it returns to the city between September 22 and October 1.

Organisers say the 21st nniversary evennt will be a strong return to the festival’s core principles; promoting regional food, the diverse food scene of the city and food education.

Hands-on cookery sessions on learning skills like making chocolate, bread and pasta are a key new activity for adults and children and available every day at the Food Hub in St Sampson’s Square.

The Food Hub will be the heart of the festival’s programme and will host a market of small food producers at the two weekends.

During the week the hub will be taken over by 800 primary school children taking cookery sessions. It will double as a pop-up restaurant at night.

Among the tops chefs attending are Michelin-starred Andrew Pern, Tommy Banks, and James Mackenzie.