A festival packed with ‘food heroes’ is gearing up to make some noise in Letchworth this weekend.

The Food and Garden Festival is taking over the town centre from 10am until 4pm tomorrow and Sunday, with thousands of visitors expected to turn up and tuck in.

Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will take to the stage for a cookery demonstration along with familiar faces such as The Fox in Willian head chef Sherwin Jacobs and Hermitage Rd head chef Daniel Woosey.

Organisers Love Letchworth have revealed there will be almost 60 food stands featuring producers and garden exhibitors ready to tickle everyone’s fancy such as The Great British Sausage Co, The Giggly Pig Company, Nature’s Fayre, Nibble Nose Cheese, Riverford Organic, Tucker’s Exotic Meats and Camp Halloumi.

Leys Avenue will be reserved for the kids, with a free children’s cookery school and food lab, funfair and Teddy Bears picnic.

A Love Letchworth spokesman said: “A wide variety of activities will be available and picnic areas will be dotted around the town allowing you to put your feet up while you enjoy your purchases and soak up the atmosphere.”

Imajica Theatre Company is premiering their show Hartley Bear’s Picnic Adventure on both days at 12 noon and 1.30pm in the RHS Gardens in The Wynd.

The adventure is a 1950s rock and roll inspired show including classic hits such as Let’s Twist Again and Peggy Sue.

A spokesman for the company said: “The show is guaranteed to get you tapping your foot but with a modern spin making them appealing to today children.

“With a great storyline, set and costuming this interactive springtime show is one not to be missed.

“There will also be free face painting from 10am until 3pm on both days from Imajica’s Face Painting Faerie, as well as the opportunity to meet and have photos taken with the cast.”

For more information visit www.shopletchworth.com, call 01462 486999 or receive updates from www.facebook.com/LoveLetchworth.