Padstow’s annual Christmas festival has announced exciting new plans for 2013 alongside a star line-up of chefs. 

Traditionally held over the first weekend in December, organisers have added an extra day to the event which will start on Thursday 5 and run to Sunday 8 December. 

A record 30,000 visitors flocked to the festival in 2012, delighting in the unique blend of family-friendly Christmas entertainment, live music and festive food on offer.

The popularity of the festival has seen the main marquee move to a larger location on the opposite side of Padstow quay which will include a second chef demonstration theatre and a larger Christmas market. 

Set around the harbour of this North Cornish fishing town, the four day festival will host some of the UK’s biggest culinary names including: 

• Rick Stein and his son Jack from The Seafood Restautant in Padstow;
• Angela Hartnett from Murano in London;
• Michael Caines from Gidleigh Park in Devon;
• Tom Kerridge from The Hand & Flowers in Marlow;
• Sat Bains from Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.

Padstow chef Rick Stein is a great supporter of the festival. Rick said: “It is so exciting to see how the festival has grown over the last few years. From humble beginnings in The Padstow Institute six years ago, we've now grown to a much bigger marquee on the quayside with some really great chefs from all over the country.

“I am looking forward to watching my friends Brian Turner and Phil Vickery go head to head in a cooking challenge and of course sampling all the wonderful food and drink on offer.”

Supported by BBC Radio Cornwall, one theatre will see chefs share stories and cook dishes from their restaurants, whilst the second stage will have a strong focus on local produce and culinary tips and techniques. The festival will also include a series of food forums debating contemporary food issues.

Cornwall’s best chefs will be out in force with demonstrations from: Paul Ainsworth, chef from Michelin starred Number 6; Stephane Delourme and David Sharland from The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow; Tom Hunter from The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth and Nathan Outlaw from his two Michelin starred Restaurant in Rock.

The expanded Christmas market on the quayside will be bustling with 110 local producers and Cornish crafts selling everything from jewelery and jams, to paintings and paella. Ales and ciders from Cornwall’s best breweries will also be on offer. 

Outside the marquee pop-up food will be in full swing with Blas burgers, Wild Bake Pizzas and Dotty’s Handmade Doughnuts keeping tummies full. A new shellfish marquee will be dedicated to the local catch with mussels, lobster, crab and oysters on sale from local fisherman and Rock Shellfish.

Emma Bebbington, General Manager at Sharp’s Brewery who are a festival sponsor said: 

“The incredible food and drink on offer at Padstow Christmas Festival makes it an event that we all get excited about many months in advance. 

“This year, a stunning line up of world-class chefs will be taking to Sharp’s live demonstration stage to cook up some mouth-watering festive recipes.”

Santa’s sleigh will be arriving on Friday evening drawn by real reindeer and Santa’s grotto will be open to little visitors throughout the weekend. 

Other festival highlights include live music, a lantern parade from local school children, entertainment from The Swamp Circus and a firework display.

For more information and to see a full programme of events, visit www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk. 

ENDS

Notes to editors

Padstow Christmas Festival

Now in its six year, the Padstow Christmas Festival brings together locals and visitors with a mixture of music, arts, food, drink, live cookery demonstrations and entertainment. www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk.

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