THE Waterhead at Ambleside – part of the English Lakes Hotels group – is to hold its first ever food festival to help showcase the work of head chef Michael Weston-Cole.

‘Tuggers’, as he is affectionately known, trained under the watchful eye of celebrity chef Jean Christopher Novelli. Michael, originally from Barrow, was also previously head chef at The Waterhead’s sister hotel, Lancaster House, where he won the title ‘Lancashire Chef of the Year’.

The dining themes over the four days of the food festival will be – ‘Historic Cumbrian’; ‘East meets West’; ‘Classic French’; and ‘Modern British’.

The event starts in style on Tuesday, November 18, with a 21-course lunch costing only £21 per person. It promises a chance for foodies to sample some of the highlights of the creative dishes which Michael and his kitchen team will be producing over the four evenings of the food festival.

During the main event, there will also be opportunities to meet some of Michael’s local suppliers and, while waiting for your freshly-prepared food to arrive at table, you can watch Chef via a candid kitchen camera.

Dinner on any of the food festival nights will cost £30 per person for a three-course meal. Booking is essential. Call 015394-30708 for details.