Two top celebrity chefs will return to Bury St Edmunds’ food and drink festival after wowing crowds at the event last year.

East Anglian Daily Times: James Rankin, who is the current resident chef on ITV's Lorraine. Picture: OUR BURY ST EDMUNDSJames Rankin, who is the current resident chef on ITV's Lorraine. Picture: OUR BURY ST EDMUNDS (Image: Archant)

James Tanner and Paul Rankin will share their kitchen secrets at the two-day event, which will be held over August bank holiday Sunday and Monday.

James Tanner, who has restaurants in Kent and the south-west and is the current resident chef on ITV’s Lorraine, will appear at the festival on Sunday, while Paul Rankin, star of Ready, Steady, Cook, will take his place in the kitchen on Monday.

Both chefs will make three appearances during the day in the Stoves Cookery Theatre, which will also showcase dishes from some of Bury’s favourite restaurants.

The free two-day event is organised by the town centre Business Improvement District (BID) organisation Our Bury St Edmunds.

Jackie Regan, events manager, said: “The demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre are hugely popular and it is wonderful to have two of our favourite chefs from previous years returning.

“It’s an indication of how highly the Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival is rated as an event by chefs, to see big names keen to return.

“As in previous years we’ll also be offering stage slots to the many talented chefs working in Our Bury St Edmunds member businesses and with the restaurant scene in the town so vibrant at the moment I’d advise those interested to reserve their place early as our theatre kitchen only has a limited number of spaces.”

The Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival will run from Sunday, August 26, to Monday, August 27, and, as well as the shows in the cookery theatre, will feature a wide range of local produce stalls and attractions including a farmers’ market.