The 2011 North West Food Festival

The 2011 North West Food Festival at Southport Flower Show featured a host of top local and celebrity chefs showing their talents and signature dishes live, up-close and personal in our own Live Cookery Theatre!

Our 2011 line-up included:

Brian Mellor, award-winning Master Chef of Great Britain, former Head Chef at BBC and Executive Chef at Granada TV.

Gary Hughes from The Auberge Brasserie, Southport acclaimed local restaurant which prides itself on the quality of food and choice of local produce.

Fred Laithwaite, the fantastic head chef at the Marine Brasserie Ramada Plaza Southport, demonstrating why he is one of Southport's best chefs.

Matt Castelli of the award-winning Marco Pierre White’s, The Swan Inn in Ormskirk whose great blend of pub fare is combined with the very best Anglo-French cuisine.

Students from Southport College’s Clouds Restaurant who put on on their very special show with their own version of Ready, Steady, Cook!

Gino Mendi, the fantastic proprietor and head chef from Bistro Bar Med re-created some of his finest dishes which make his restaurant one of the town’s favourite.

Michael Cartmell, award-winning Executive Chef of the Dining Room on West Street, Southport shared some of the secrets of his kitchen.

Gavin Brown, Head Chef at The Royal Clifton Hotel on The Promenade in Southport, showcased his individual flair and some very exciting recipes.

Head Chef Antony Shirley of The Oyster & Otter in Blackburn, owned and run by the Neve family cooked up a storm while Chris Neve, the Head Supplier was on hand to talk about his experience sourcing the finest quality produce from shore and land!

Robert Baker owner of The Barking Frog and a well travelled and experienced caterer re-created his very own dish of Moroccan lamb accompanied with almond and  apricot couscous.

George Shashati shared the secrets of Southport’s best known Lebanese eatery, Alamir Bistro. 

Peter Kinsella, Head Chef from Lunya in Liverpool ONE, the UK’s first multi-award winning Catalonian fusion deli and restaurant

Stacie Stewart who created Sharing Steak Platter with Olive Tapenade and Slow Roast Tomatoes. And with a dash of distinctive retro style – in keeping with Southport’s vintage theme in 2011, created the perfect vintage Victoria Sponge.

Celebrity Chef, Presenter & Author Simon Rimmer, who re-created Sea Bass Nicoise, Lamb Rump with Fennel and Southport Potted Shrimps; Summer Fruit Zucotto.

Sandra Gee who showed how fast food - cooking with a Microwave could be a truly vintage experience!

Adam Atkinson and Kris Roberts from Yo Sushi!, the uber cool, iconic Japanese restaurant  at Liverpool ONE.

Andrea Mellon from Duk, the award-winning Tapas restaurant in Preston, showed us the skills that she has learnt and some of the dishes that make her one of the most talked about chefs around.

Mike Harrison, the dynamo behind the extraordinary service; Chef to Go showe us how his signature dishes are created.

Mrs Dowsons herself presented her unique ice creams from her own dairy and the opportunity to see how Mrs Dowson’s Real Dairy Ice Cream is made.

Head chef at Frankie and Benny’s showcased some of their signature dishes that have made the restaurant such a family favourite.

Tom Bridge the Cookery Detective cooked a vintage themed 3 course menu and shared recipes from his book The Pie Society.