A FOOD festival will return to Letchworth GC this weekend in the first of a series of summer events.

Letchworth Food and Garden Festival will take over the town centre from 10am to 4pm tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday with more than 70 stalls booked.

Organisers from the Letchworth Town Centre Partnership have added a garden theme after a similar event by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation in 2010, with a display garden from the Arch Community Centre and a vegetable swap shop on offer this time around.

There will also be cooking tips from professional chefs at two demonstration kitchens, with BBC Masterchef finalist Dean Edwards and BBC Food presenter Alan Coxon among those who will be showing off their culinary skills.

As far as the food stalls go there will be something for any pallet, with cheeses, homemade preserves, locally reared meat and spicy condiments all on the menu.

Free parking will be available at the Spirella Building for the duration of the event.

“As word has spread about the festival’s return our phones have been ringing off the hook with stall holders wanting to come along,” said town centre manager Lee Boswell.

“With more than 70 stalls booked in, two demonstration kitchens, a children’s kitchen, and a brilliant line up of celebrity and award winning local chefs it’s going to be a fantastic weekend for the whole family and a real boost for the town.

“Whatever the weather I’d urge everyone to come along and browse the stalls, pick up some great hints and tips from our demonstration kitchens, and grab something tasty to eat.”

The festival kicks off Letchworth GC entertainment programme Garden City Summer, with an event held in the town every weekend until July 21.

Next Saturday, May 26, there will be an official opening of Howard Park and Gardens. The following Saturday a Jubilee Big Lunch will be held before Letchworth Festival is launched the week after. Other highlights include Prom in the Park on June 24 and the Olympic torch relay on July 8.