Kirkby Lonsdale is the place to be this weekend as the Taste Cumbria food festival cooks up a host of culinary treats for locals and visitor alike.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 and is held in association with Taste Cumbria magazine and Cumbria Life.

This is the third time Kirkby Lonsdale town has played host to the event which attracts thousands of visitors. More than 30 producers and hot food stalls will set up in Market Square, while Lunsdale Hall hosts the chef’s demonstrations and children’s activities.

There’s also a treat in store for the festival’s youngest visitors. They’ll be able to explore the streets on an Easter treasure trail – which will also give their grown-ups the chance to take a look at Kirkby Lonsdale’s lovely independent shops.

Event organiser Anna Chippendale of CN Events said: “We’re hiding some big colourful Easter egg posters in businesses around the town. Each egg will have a letter on it which, when you’ve discovered them all, spell out a word which is relevant to the festival.

“It’s going to be a great way to keep the children occupied – while their parents, grandparents and carers get a chance to eat, drink and shop their way around the town!”

One of the other big draws of the Taste Cumbria festival is always the free expert demonstrations. Aside from being able to watch some skills learned in Michelin-starred restaurants, there will be loads of samples of meat, fish, seafood, cocktails and wine which visitors can try.

Anna added: “We really are spoilt for choice with our Kirkby Lonsdale demo chefs this year - it’s such a good line-up with some local favourites, as well as food and drink experts who have travelled the length and breadth of the county to be here.

“Just make sure you’re quick out of your seat when the samples are offered. There’s often a bit of a stampede!”

The 2019 Taste Cumbria Kirkby Lonsdale experts are:

Ben Wilkinson from Cottage in the Wood near Keswick

Scott Fairweather from The Black Swan at Ravenstonedale

Oli Martin from Hipping Hall at Cowan Bridge who was a finalist in last year’s Masterchef: The Professionals

Paul Lusted, from Kendal’s Creative Seafood

Kirkby Lonsdale’s own Luke Whittle, formerly of the Michelin-starred Forest Side at Grasmere and the Sun Inn in Kirkby Lonsdale

Nick Edgar, who had a Michelin star at The Samling and is the new head chef at The Ryebeck at Bowness

Lee Scrimgeour of the Stonehouse Smokery near Carlisle

Richard Bracken of Grapevine Wine near Keswick

Helen Askew, the Tipsy Filly, from Carlisle

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The producers’ market takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, April 13 and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, April 14. Children’s activities run at the same time in Lunesdale Hall, and the expert demos take place on the hour from 11am until 3pm.

For more information about Taste Cumbria email carrie.buchanan@newsquest.co.uk, visit www.tastecumbria.com or call 01228 612000.