THE Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival will return for its 23rd year this Easter weekend, with chef headliners including Simon Rimmer and John Torode.

The annual event will be taking place at Chester Racecourse with the festival running from Saturday, April 8 to Monday, April 10.

Day One will get underway from 10am with Sunday Brunch's Simon Rimmer. Other highlights from opening day on the chef demo stage include Jemma Melvin, winner of the platinum jubilee dessert competition, Jamie Pickles from the Rose & Crown, Knutsford and a cocktail demonstration from Cheshire Cocktail Champion 2022 Tristan Brady (from Bar Lounge) plus other local chefs.

POP VOX Choir will also be performing throughout the day.

Masterchef's John Torode will take to the stage on Day Two alongside Chef Valentina from Da Noi and Chef Sam Griffiths from the Chester Grosvenor, among others. The Sunday also sees the return of Taste Cheshire's Sausage competition where members of the public decide both the best plain and the best flavoured sausages in the county.

Musical performances in the Sunday will be provided by Proud Marys – Chester’s LGBTQ Chorus.

Finally, on Day Three, Eat Well for Less and Aldi's Next Big Thing star Chris Bavin will headline, joined by the stunning chef team from Artezzan, Great British Menu regional winner Stuart Collins and Chef Brian Mellor will be joined by some of the team from Norton Priory museum. Chris Clowes, head chef of The Henry Potts, Chester will close the show on the demo stage.

Free cooking classes for adults and children

Adult Classes will be provided by plant based cookery school ALL ABOUT GREENS supported by Pippa Lee.

Kids Cooking is provided by Chef James Holden and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Commonhall Social will bring back their pop up at the racecourse as part of the festival and Horseradish will be providing a truly VIP experience.

Dishes from around the world

With this year's theme Food from Around the World, over 140 food, drink and lifestyle exhibitors will be in place, bringing flavours from across the globe, alongside some phenomenal Cheshire producers.

Visitors will be able to taste India, Thailand, Mexico, France, Greece, South America, Turkey, Spain, the USA, China, Japan, Wales, Vietnam, England, Italy, and Jamaica all within the grounds of the Racecourse

Parking at the event is free and dogs are welcome. Advance tickets are available from the Taste Cheshire's website as well as on the door.