SCRANTASTIC FOOD FESTIVAL
Families and foodies turned out in force for a weekend of delicious family fun in Sunderland.
The first ever Scrantastic event was held over the weekend in Houghton.
On Sunderland cooking demonstrations from Great British Bake Off’s Steven Carter Bailey entertained crowds.
There was also a performance from Cbeebies star Katy Ashworth.
The onsite continental market offered event goers a range of street food, sweet treats and take home food products.
And, was part of a list of brand new events launched by Sunderland City Council this year and will be complemented by Sunderland Food and Drink Fest which takes place in Sunderland City Centre in June.
The three-day Scrantastic event began on Friday and ran until Sunday at The Broadway and Rectory Park in Houghton, featuring cookery demonstrations, food stalls, a continental market, free family entertainment, food themed activities including street theatre and a funfair.
Sunderland’s own Stacie Stewart, who swept to fame on MasterChef and now appears on TV’s How to Lose Weight Well, returned to Wearside to be part of the festival.
On Saturday, the celebrity chef entertained crowds with a cooking demonstration before visitors enjoyed a range of live music, children’s activities and street theatre.
Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli is the headline act at the June festival, which will take place from Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23. Also on the bill will be TV chef and author Dean Edwards.
The city centre festival will see Keel Square, High St West, Market Square and Blandford Street become home to a variety of stalls offering local produce from local traders, street food and speciality food and drinks plus music and street entertainment.
Chief executive of Sunderland City Council, Patrick Melia said: “We are continually looking to develop our events programme which brings visitors and income into our city, and showcases Sunderland as a place where people can come to enjoy a regular programme of top class cultural, sports and entertainment activities.
“When we ask people what kind of new events they’d like to see in Sunderland food festivals are often suggested, so to be able to bring two to the city in the space of a couple of months is fantastic.”
“We are continually looking to develop our events programme”