ORGANISERS of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival have announced an impressive line-up of leading chefs and food writers for this year's event.The festival, taking place from September 25 to October 4 to coincide with British Food Fortnight, will also feature a number of new fun-filled food activities.

ORGANISERS of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival have announced an impressive line-up of leading chefs and food writers for this year's event.

The festival, taking place from September 25 to October 4 to coincide with British Food Fortnight, will also feature a number of new fun-filled food activities.

The centrepiece of the festival will again be a two-day extravaganza of local food and drink at Snape Maltings over the middle weekend, September 26 and 27.

More than 70 local producers will be showcasing their produce and offering tastings, with new exhibitors including Laurel Farm Herbs from Yoxford, and Wild Boar from Brampton, near Beccles.

There will be cookery demonstrations with some of the UK's top chefs, a dedicated children's fun learning area, workshops, discussion forums, boat trips and RSPB-guided walks.

Among the chefs to which the festival will play host are Tom Aikens of Tom Aikens and Tom's Kitchen, London; Mark Hix, former executive chef of Caprice Holdings and owner of Hix Oyster and Chop House, London; Fergus Henderson of St John, London; Marcus Verberne, head chef of Brown's Hotel; and Thomasina Miers, winner of Master Chef and owner of Wahaca, London.

Matthew Fort, food writer and judge from TV's The Great British Menu, and Tom Parker Bowles of ITV's Market Kitchen will also be joining the team as well as Rose Prince of the Daily Telegraph and Sheila Dillon, Radio 4's food presenter.

“Fringe” events during the festival will include a series of organic farm walks; “meet the producer” events, progressive suppers, cookery workshops at Otley College, artisan bread making at Metfield Caf�, Barista training and a venison butchery demonstration by Food Safari.

The events will be based in various locations throughout east Suffolk, with the aim of engaging more people in the festival and increasing understanding of the wider importance of local, seasonal food and drink and their integration with sustainable farming, fishing and food production.

Restaurants, pubs and hotels in the area will also be supporting the festival with special local food produce menus.

Southwold brewing and leisure retail company Adnams is main sponsor of the festival, with Suffolk County Council and Marks &Spencer are also supporting the event.

Entrance to the weekend's event at Snape Maltings is �5 per person (under 13s free) and will include free parking, a cotton shopping bag and festival programme.