SOME of the country’s biggest names in the food industry are heading to Tynedale for the ‘Glastonbury for chefs’.

The annual Universal Cookery and Food Festival heads North for the first time, being held at Vallum Farm, near Matfen, on September 23.

The festival, compared to the world famous Glastonbury music festival because of the star names it attracts, will this year be attended by retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, and contract caterers Sodexo and Elior and restaurant chains including Bill’s and Prezzo.

The festival’s packed programme of events also includes a farmers‘ market, many demonstrations and a series of debates on food related topics.

Renowned chef Terry Laybourne, owner of some of the North-East’s best-loved and highly regarded restaurants, will then take to the stage to share his culinary expertise.

Event director Lee Maycock, who is also the vice chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “The show just gets bigger and better every year, and we’re very excited to be heading North for the first time.

“The North-East has a wealth of superb food producers and suppliers and some highly skilled and experienced chefs and this will be a great opportunity to bring them all together to showcase what they do.”