The cream of the culinary world headed to Suffolk for the start of a fortnight long celebration of the county’s gastronomic delights.

Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, which has become one of the foremost food festivals in the country, kicked off on Saturday with an abundance of tasty produce for people to enjoy.

Crowds flocked to the event’s main two-day showcase at Snape Maltings to sample the works of farmers, bakers, millers and other artisan producers who have helped put Suffolk on the foodie map.

William Kendall, one of the directors of Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, said: “It’s too early to tell exactly but we believe the numbers were up 10% on last year which is pretty amazing.

“We’ve had lots of food writers here saying they love coming because of the food and the environment.

“I go to a lot of food festivals but they are mainly in city centres but we are in part of a food production county which is what makes us so different.” Among the 80 plus exhibitors at the festival were Adnams, Fairfields Farm Crisps, Deepmills Coffee, Dingley Dell Pork and The Special Little Cake Company.

Mr Kendall said: “One of the things we have focused on this year is flavour which we have in abundance here.

“The produce is made by people who care while so much modern food is produced because it’s cheaper or lasts longer.”

He added: “One of the other new things we have created is the bread zone.

“We have so many bakers who have come together to create the bread zone and had a bread making competition and lots of home-baking workshops.”

Visitors could also watch a number of demonstrations by celebrity chefs including Valentine Warner and Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers as well as local chefs such as Regis Crepy, Tyler Torrance and Ollie Burnside.

There are also a number of fringe events running throughout east Suffolk as part of the festival until October 13.

Visit www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk for more information about the events being held.