Budding chefs take centre stage at Nottingham Food and Drink Festival

The four day event (23-26 September) also included charity Ready Steady Cook challenges, specialist demonstrations, a food market and events at bars and restaurants across the city. Sylvia Manser, festival organiser and chief executive of We Are Nottingham, commented: "The city has one of the most diverse ranges of eateries outside of London and the festival was designed to introduce people to some of the undiscovered gems that are on their doorstep. "The whole team is delighted that so many people came to see our celebrity chefs, purchase produce from local suppliers and sample what's on offer at Nottingham's bars and restaurants in our new hospitality area." The festival is organised by We Are Nottingham, funded by the Greater Nottingham Partnership and supported by Experience Nottinghamshire, John Lewis, Waitrose and New College Nottingham. Manser concluded: "The hard work now starts all over again. We are already looking ahead to 2011 to make sure that the Nottingham Food and Drink Festival is once again one of the highlights of the city's events calendar."