This year’s Taste of Luton Food Festival will be opened in style by French Michelin star chef Jean Christophe Novelli.
The celebrity chef will perform the opening ceremony on September 10 in the town’s St George’s Square.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking part in this year’s Taste of Luton.“Both my business and home are nearby and it is great to be able to support an event of this kind on my doorstep.”
The award winning chef and TV celebrity runs his own cookery school The Novelli Academy from his 14th century home in Tea Green, on the outskirts of Luton. The Taste of Luton Food Festival aims to celebrate the food of local restaurants, bars, food retailers and producers in the town and surrounding area. It attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Businesses sell their food at the event as well as offering free tasters to visitors. Cookery and food preparation demonstrations are also held.The wide variety of food on offer during the event reflect the cultural diversity of the town and includes Thai, Polish, Indian, African Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Chinese. Live music and dancing is also provided on a stage during the day.
The 2011 festival aims to highlight Luton’s night-time economy and eating and leisure opportunities, in an aim to encourage more families and individuals of all ages to take advantage of what the town centre has to offer in the evenings. There is also a strong focus on healthy living, diet and exercise.