Shrewsbury Market Hall will sizzle as the town venue hosting ‘Fringe’ events in support of the Shrewsbury Food Festival on June 28 and 29.
Some of the best-known chefs and artisan food specialists in town will take to a stage in the market for a series of gourmet demonstrations between 11am and 5pm on both days of the festival.
Other attractions in the market over the weekend will be a Mulch-a-Do-About-Art exhibition and children’s art workshops run by the Shropshire Visual Art Network, food tasting trails, a festival breakfast of artisan local foods served from 8am and a nostalgic afternoon tea served at The Market Buffet.
The event will be in addition to celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, and artisan food attractions taking place at the main festival site in The Quarry Park.
Among chefs performing in the market is former Masterchef The Professionals quarter-finalist Chris Conde, who is executive chef at Henry Tudor House; Shropshire Council’s 2013 Curry Chef of the Year Dr Lal Haider, of The Old Hall Persian Restaurant, Dorrington; Michel Nijsten, head chef at the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel and Paul Maders, head chef at The Inn at Grinshill.
Also taking part is James Sherwin, of James-in-a-Space pop-up restaurants, who recently appeared on ITV’s The Taste UK; Vic Rowling, the head chef at The Lord Hill Hotel, Mark Jones, head chef at The Corbet Arms, Uffington, and the market’s own talent, including award-winning chocolatier Julia Wenlock, of Toot Sweets, Ian Cornall, of Barkworths Seafoods, and master butcher Jon Sykes, of Corbetts, poultry suppliers.
Mat Hocking, of Les Crêpes De Sophie, which specialises in rare craft beers, will give a talk and taste on Shropshire ales.
Market Facilities Manager Kate Gittins said: “Last year our cooking demonstrations were hugely popular. To have chefs cooking in the middle of a bustling market, with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the market, is a great spectacle and a perfect way to celebrate Shrewsbury’s vibrant food culture. “We’re very pleased to be hosting Fringe events on behalf of the Shrewsbury Food Festival.”
Entry to the Market Hall, off Claremont Street, will be free.