ULVERSTON plays host to the third Taste Cumbria festival this weekend with the chefs and experts who will showcase their skills being revealed.

It is the third year that the town has staged the free weekend event and around 15,000 people were attracted in 2015.

There will be free demonstrations for visitors on both the Saturday and Sunday. They will take place hourly at the McClures food company’s demonstration kitchen, next to the Market Street monument.

Luke Whittle, of The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale, will kick off both days at 11.30am, followed by Gareth Kemble of Carvetii Coffee, from Embleton, near Cockermouth.

On the Saturday, they will be joined by Gary McClure, of Windermere-based produce suppliers McClures, a company celebrating more than 70 years and three generations of the business. Ulverston chefs Ben Queen, of Ford Park Coach House Cafe and Bistro and Craig Sherrington, of Virginia House restaurant, will also be cooking live on the demo stage.

On the Sunday, there will be a lively session with the team from the award-winning Bistro at the Distillery and The Lakes Distillery at Bassenthwaite, near Cockermouth, followed by the final demonstration of the weekend with Scott Fairweather from The Punchbowl at Crosthwaite.

In addition to the demonstrations, visitors will be able to browse the stalls of more than 50 food and drink producers. Their products will range from fresh meat and vegetables, to bread, chutney and cheese. There will also be handmade cordials, locally brewed spirits and homewares with a cookery theme. Families should visit Ford Park where there will be food-themed arts and crafts and fun activities for youngsters. Many of the town’s regular shops and businesses will also be getting involved with special activities and offers for the weekend.

Taste Cumbria was created to boost the county’s economy after the devastating floods of 2009. The first Taste Cumbria Food Festival took place in Cockermouth in 2010 and the event, held during the last weekend of September, now attracts almost 40,000 people.

In addition to the festivals in Ulverston and Cockermouth, there are also Taste Cumbria Food Villages at the Cumberland Show and Lowther Show, and a Taste Cumbria Christmas market in Cockermouth.

There are a few trade stand spaces left for food and drink producers. For more details, visit www.tastecumbria.com or call 01228 612000.