This is Grimsby --SHOPPERS were treated to the delicious scents of freshly-cooked food as a preview to The Lincolnshire Food Festival got underway in Grimsby.
A taster to the main event – which will take place at Cleethorpes' Meridian Park on September 21 and 22 – was held at Freshney Place Shopping Centre on Saturday.
Kicking off the demonstrations was Steven Bennett, executive chef at Laceby's Oaklands Hall Hotel, who served up scallops with black pudding and fennel hollandaise; homemade chutney; and seabass with British pak choi and Bridlington crab risotto.
He said: "I think the food festival is a fantastic thing for the area and will really promote both great, local produce and great, local restaurants.
"I'm passionate about using Lincolnshire produce in dishes and enjoy coming up with new and unusual combinations for dishes."
As well as cookery demonstrations by some of the region's celebrity chefs, there were stalls offering free samples and a number of major retailers at the precinct also offered foodie discounts.
Also showcasing his skills was Nigel Brown, who runs a cookery academy at Barton.
He said: "The festival is going to be absolutely fabulous and it's something that is long overdue in this area.
"It's going to grow year after year and become a real highlight in the county's calendar."
Linda Cressey, 62, from Grimsby, said: "I thought the chefs were brilliant.
"I got some great tips and enjoyed watching the way they used fresh, local food.
"They presented it in a way that was easy for normal home cooks like me to follow."
Mel Sharpe, from the Oakridge Hotel chain, which includes The Brackenborough, at Louth, and The Ashbourne, at North Killingholme, was serving up pate tasters.
She said: "We use all local produce in our restaurants and will be taking part in the festival because it's a great way to promote how delicious and affordable our food is."
ON THE WEB: Try Nigel Brown's recipe for delicious chocolate macaroons at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk Reported by This is 19 hours ago.