GLORIOUS sunshine combined with cuisines from around the world provided the perfect ingredients to attract the crowds yet again to the town’s annual food festival.

After the phenomenal success of opening day on Saturday, traders were once again reporting a roaring trade on Sunday. 

Adding to the mix in the town was variety of live entertainment, with people enjoying a procession of celebrity chefs at live outdoor cookery theatre.

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Read more: Pictures of Bishop Auckland Food Festival Day 1 

The cookery line up included TV chef and presenter John Whaite; Great British Bake Off favourites Crystelle Pereira, Karen Wright and Chigs Parmar; Matt Pritchard, also known as Dirty Vegan; MasterChef The Professional’s finalist Philli Armitage-Mattin; and Bishop Auckland’s own celebrity chef and MasterChef contestant Mike Bartley.

Some visitors also got to experience the luxury of fine dining with a special event hosted by Mike, who provided a gourmet four-course evening menu at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, created from local ingredients.

With more than 150 traders using the weekend as a chance to meet new customers and share their fantastic goods, from street food and delicious desserts to artisan produce and locally brewed beverages, the festival provided a significant boost to businesses trading both at the festival and in the town itself.

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “It has been fantastic to welcome back visitors and traders once again to Bishop Auckland for two whole days of fun, food and entertainment.

Read more: Reactions of people to Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2022

“This year we’re delighted to have returned to our regular spring date, kicking off the county’s festival season with an explosion of flavour.

"Events like Bishop Auckland Food Festival are also a key part of County Durham’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025, demonstrating the power of culture to bring people together and enhance the vibrancy of our communities.

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

“We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and I want to thank our traders and celebrity guests, the festival’s supporter and sponsors, and all the staff and volunteers for their hard work and efforts to make this weekend happen.”

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

 

 

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

 

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

 

 

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

 

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The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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The Northern Echo: Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Bishop Auckland Food Festival Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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