ONE of the North East‘s top chefs is to headline a festival at Vallum Farm celebrating the region’s food industry.

Twice Michelin-starred Kenny Atkinson, owner of Newcastle restaurant House of Tides, will be a guest speaker at the Universal Cookery and Food Festival 2015, which will be held at the East Wallhouses food hub on September 23.

The Newcastle-born former Chef of the Year, who has represented the region twice on the BBC show Great British Menu, will be among a number of ‘Local Heroes’, sharing their advice and experiences at the one-day trade event.

The festival, which is aimed at chefs working in all areas of the food industry, is being held in the north of England for the first time.

Kenny said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic produce, chefs and suppliers wehave in this region.

“Normally, these sort of events tend to take place in the London area, so it’s a real coup for the region and a real tribute to the food industry up here, that they’ve chosen to come up to Northumberland.

“I’m really excited to be taking part – to be catching up with other chefs from around the country and to be meeting the new generation of chefs.

“There was a time when North East chefs had to travel to London if they wanted to further their career but that is no longer the case. Over the past 10 years or so, the region has established a superb and well deserved culinary reputation – and this event is proof of that.”

Some of the UK’s biggest caterers, retailers and restaurant chains have also signed up to take part, including Sodexo, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

Joining Kenny are the likes of Terry Laybourne of 21 Hospitality group and the recipient of the Craft Guild’s Special Award last month, Sat Bains, chef-patron of Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.

The festival stage will see a series of debates on subjects including the changing face of pub food; is it goodbye to a pie and a pint and hello to a craft beer and slow-cooked duck?

Other attractions at the event include a farmers’ market showcasing the finest produce, ingredients and equipment from both national and regional suppliers.

There will also be an innovation zone, displaying and demonstrating new culinary products and produce headed by Infusions4Chefs’ Jeremy Medley.

The event aims to give chefs up and down the country the opportunity to get outside in a relaxed environment, meet and talk directly with game-keepers, farmers, growers and food producers, as well as get close to industry respected chefs and operators.

Attendees will also be able to sample a wide range of food at the event, which will draw to a close with an evening barbecue, local band and free beer in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall.