Elsecar ‘serves’ up a weekend of celebrity chefs and foodie fun

Michelin award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, will be making a welcome return to Elsecar’s annual Flavours Food Festival on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 October.

The well-loved television personality will be cooking up a storm in the historic South Yorkshire Village as he meets with fans and performs lively cookery demonstrations throughout the action packed weekend. The 5 AA Rosette chef will also showcase a selection of his recipes which people can recreate at home.

Jean-Christophe Novelli began his career at the tender age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France. His life changed completely in 1983 when he arrived in Great Britain and spent a year taking care of Keith Floyd’s pub, The Maltsters. In 1996, he opened four restaurants in London and began his internationally based mini-empire. 

Joining Jean-Christophe and holding exciting cookery demonstrations, over the two-day festival will be Karen Wright of Great British Bake Off fame, Tosin Dayo-Oyekole and Tim Bilton.

A keen baker from an early age Karen Wright thought in 2018 that it was time for a new challenge. With the encouragement from others she decided to enter the Great British Bake Off and it proved to be a life changing experience. Setting herself weekly baking challenges she prepared for all the technical trials she may encounter. The Bake Off was the most amazing experience of her life and she has learnt so much since her time on the show. At Flavours Food fest Karen will be sharing tips and tricks that she has learnt along the way.

Tosin Dayo-Oyekole will be bringing delicious African cuisine to the food lover’s festival. She will be cooking up dishes that will make mouths water like slow cooked honey beans, homemade chilli sauce with rare spices, grilled plantain and green Plantain chips. Visitors will recognise Tosin from Channel 4’s My Kitchen rules UK where she cooked for some of the country’s finest and Michelin starred chefs. She has appeared at the food festivals across Yorkshire and has launched her own range of artisan fresh chilli sauces.

Tim Bilton, the award winning Yorkshire chef will be joining the line-up of fantastic Yorkshire chefs at the festival. Tim will be demonstrating classical cooking techniques learned while training with Raymond Blanc and developed during his time at The Butchers Arms and The Spiced Pear. Tim is excited about creating amazing food for visitors to Flavours Food Fest.

You will recognise Tosin from Channel 4's My Kitchen Rules UK where she cooked for some of the country's finest and Michelin starred chefs. She has appeared at the Great Yorkshire Show, Wakefield Rhubarb Festival, Cannon Hall Food Festival, Harrogate Flower Show, Leeds Food Festival and Ilkley Food Festival, just to name a few and has launched her own range of artisan fresh chilli sauces.

We can’t wait to welcome her to Elsecar!!!

Now in its fourth year Flavours Food Fest will be returning to Elsecar Heritage Centre, located a mere 2 miles from junction 36 of the M1. The unique historical site will be transformed over the weekend of Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 October into a bustling marketplace. With a variety of local and national producers on show, the centre will offer a wide range of tasty treats and delicious beverages throughout the weekend.

The family-friendly festival will feature fun for all ages with performances, games, entertainment from Hallam FM and activities to keep the youngsters amused. While there, people can also explore the original Earl Fitzwilliam's Workshops, now converted into a series of independent shops, antique centre, play area and quaint cafes.

Alongside live cookery demonstrations and foodie fun, the festival will also feature live music. Acts ranging from rock and pop to blues and swing will perform over the two days on the live music stage.

Combined with a wide selection of craft ale, prosecco, cocktails and street food on offer, the weekend promises to be one to remember.

Jean-Christophe Novelli said:

I’m thrilled to be returning to the fabulous Flavours Food Festival. Last year was such a brilliant event and I am sure this year will be even better. I have lots of tasty dishes on the menu with a few surprises for visitors too! I look forward to saying hello to the people of Yorkshire.

Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Regeneration and Culture), said:

We are delighted that Jean-Christophe Novelli will be returning to Barnsley alongside a lineup of fantastic Yorkshire chefs. Last year’s festival was a triumph and we are certain that this year will be even better. With an array of family-friendly entertainment sitting alongside live music, foodie fun and free parking it promises to be a great day out for all the family.