A LUXURY hotel has announced it will be holding its first ever festival of food in February next year.

Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, will welcome some of the country's top professional chefs during the eight-day festival, which begins on Saturday, February 2.

An Artisan Food Fair will kick off proceedings on the first weekend before a series of special lunches, dinners and food and wine events take place throughout the week, culminating in a black tie gala dinner on February 9.

Chefs including Andrew Pern (The Star Inn on Tour), TV chef and author Mark Greenaway, James Mackenzie of the Michelin pub of the year the Pipe and Glass Inn and renowned Jersey-based chef Mark Jordan, will all be cooking at exclusive dining experiences during the week.

Rockliffe Hall’s executive chefs, Richard Allen, Aaron Craig and Paul O’Hara will also be hosting various dinners and events while the resort’s head gardener, Phil Mennell, will host a lunch and tour of the kitchen gardens.

Head sommelier, Daniel Jonberger, will pass on his wine wisdom at a wine and food pairing masterclass.

There will also be a Taste of the North East Celebration Banquet with guest chefs from The Bay Horse, Hurworth, Nova Seafood Grill, Chadwicks Inn Maltby and The Crathorne Arms.

During the event money will be raised for Hospitality Action with big prize raffles at some of the evening dinners.

The charity offers vital assistance to those working, or who have worked within hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis.

Eamonn Elliott, Chief Executive at Rockliffe Hall, says: “We have so many exceptional chefs in the North East and want to celebrate this fact.

"We’ve lined up lots of top names in the food industry from our region, and further afield, and can’t wait to showcase their talent at this exciting event.”

“It will be a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is fabulous about food, from the ingredients, to the suppliers, the chefs, and of course the diners.

"There’s so much happening during the eight days that there’s sure to be an event to suit everyone.

"It really will be any foodie’s idea of heaven and an event not to be missed.”

Other events include the world's best Sunday dinner and a gardener's lunch with a tour of the kitchen gardens and potting sheds.

Prices start from £35 for lunchtime events and £45 for evening events. A Festival Pass will also be available from £400.