AN estimated 25,000 flocked to Beverley's "buzzing" food festival today.
Featuring 114 stalls selling produce from across East Yorkshire and a cookery theatre with demonstrations from the region's top chefs, the event proved hugely successful.
Mayor of Beverley, Councillor Paul McGrath said: "Last year we had 20,000 visitors and this year we will be pushing 25,000.
"It is fantastic for the economy.
"Normally on the first Sunday morning in October the town would be quite quiet but today we have people coming from all over the country to see what the Beverley Food Festival has to offer."
The festival was officially opened at 10am by the mayor, with the Beverley Brass Band performing Food Glorious Food from the musical Oliver.
Michelin-starred chef James Mackenzie, from the Pipe & Glass Inn, at South Dalton, was the first to entertain guests in the cookery theatre marquee.
Mr Mackenzie impressed those watching with two dishes made using North Sea halibut and crab.
Mr Mackenzie said: "It's brilliant to be back here at the festival.
"I am a great supporter of local producers and we are using a lot of their ingredients today in the demonstrations.
"I have been coming to the Beverley Food Festival since it started and it just seems to grow and grow every year.
"It is fantastic for the town and shows off all the fantastic produce we have in and around the area."
Beverley chefs Tina Cerutti, of Cerutti 2, Jason Rowe, of Rebels' Smokehouse, Matthew Barker, of The Westwood Restaurant, and Thierry Condette, of TC Patisserie, also took to the stage, along withBen Cox, of The Star@Sancton.
The festival also had its own version of Ready Steady Cook, whilst other entertainment included street and circus performer Professor Fiddlesticks and the Beverley Garland Dancers.
Alan Hamlett and his wife Jane, from Beverley, attended the festival with their two children, Sarah, six, and three-year-old Matthew.
Mr Hamlett said: "We come every year, for us it is a particular highlight of the year.
"It is fantastic to see Beverley so full of people.
"The food is absolutely delicious and there is something for all the family to enjoy."
John Roberts, from Roberts & Speight wine merchants and delicatessen, based at Norwood, Beverley, was one of the 114 traders attending the festival.
He said: "We have been coming to the festival for the last five years – it is buzzing.
"Every year there seems to be more and more people.
"The weather has been beautiful for the past three or four years as well which makes it even better.
"It is also a great opportunity for us to showcase the delicatessen side of our business as well."
