Ainsley Harriott returns to headline Solihull Food Festival

The nation's favourite chef, Ainsley Harriott (pictured), is returning to Solihull next weekend to headline the Solihull Food Festival.

Taking place between Friday 29 September and Sunday 1 October, the region's biggest celebration of food will feature over 80 food and drink traders in Mell Square, Mill Lane and Solihull High Street.

Organised by Solihull BID and supported by RR Events, this year's free family event once again includes the Rum & Reggae stage in Mell Square, featuring some of the country's top tribute acts including Rats In The Kitchen and the Skabucks.

Plus, there's the much-loved High Street demo kitchen, taster tent, restaurant offers and roaming entertainment across the town centre.

On Saturday 30 September, Ainsley Harriott takes the reins, entertaining the crowds with his unique and effervescent style in the demo kitchen before a book signing in Touchwood.

He will also be joined across the weekend by a line-up of great cooks including the 'Yummy Brummie' Glynn Purnell, Italian maestro Aldo Zilli, MasterChef 2022 runner-up Pookie Tredell and Solihull's very own Michelin star chef Rob Palmer from Toffs.

Melanie Palmer, chief executive of Solihull BID, said: “This year's Food Festival is a huge celebration of food, fun, entertainment and laughter.

“Solihull leads the way in offering a safe, colourful environment for everyone to enjoy. Dinosaurs, Ainsley Harriott, street food and reggae - what more could you want?”

The town centre crowds will be wowed throughout the weekend with plenty of roaming entertainment including dinosaurs, a special children's foodie trail and free face painting alongside a kid's disco, fairground rides and a giant Ferris wheel.

For more information on Solihull BID events and activities, visit their website.