READY to eat some good food, sip on a refreshing drink and wander around the festival site on the Ilkley Riverside?

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions means the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival will be able to go ahead on June 12 and 13, 2021, at East Holmes Field.

A spokesperson for the Ilkley Food Festival team said: “The latest announcements means it’s all systems go at Ilkley Food & Drink Festival HQ.

“As a naturally socially-distanced event, we are blessed with the opportunity to go ahead with our event as planned.

“This means you’ll still get your cookery demonstrations, live music, bars, artisan markets, live entertainment, street food and much more.

“This will be an open air event and we will be implementing all the necessary procedures to ensure that the event runs safely and smoothly.

“Due to Covid-19, this is a ticket-only event. We recommend booking your tickets now because tickets are selling at four times the normal rate and are set to sell out.

“We must also stress that if you are showing symptoms, please do not attend the festival - you can email us via info@ilkleyfoodfestival.com, and we will be happy to refund your tickets.”

The jam-packed cookery theatre line-up will include Loc Bui with a Taste of Vietnam.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Loc started to learn to cook from his grandparents at the age of five, and aims to pass on some of that tradition, experience and joy in his lessons.

He said: “I will teach you how to fluff your rice, toss your noodles and add the Vietnamese soul to your food. I have a real passion to share my knowledge of Asian food. I get a real buzz teaching others my skills and recipes, empowering them to bring the taste of the exotic far east into their own homes.”

Anthony O’Shaughnessy is a self-taught cook, turned chef, turned cookery teacher, originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He progressed to the semi-final stages of the 14th series of Masterchef, presenting dishes from some of his favourite regions around the world: the Middle-East, the American Deep South, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and treasured dishes from his homeland in the North-East of England.

He said: “I currently spend my time delivering and designing cooking classes, teaching people how to cook, from beginners to more advanced home cooking. I work with people from all backgrounds and abilities - it’s my job is to bring out the very best in them and help them love life through food, just as I do. I truly love it.”

Peter Howarth’s love of travel has certainly impacted on his individual style of cooking, which he describes as ‘modern British with world influences’.

Peter has exemplary professional experience, having worked with top-class hotel restaurants, including Head Chef at The Samling, which held three AA rosettes, and prior to this, Head Chef at Gidleigh Park and The Latymer, both of which held two Michelin stars and five AA rosettes.

Visi ilkleyfoodfestival.com for more information and tickets.