The line-up of food and drink experts for next month's Taste Cumbria food festival have been revealed.

Masterclasses are among the most popular attractions at the two-day event and this year, for the first time, they will be held in the Cockermouth Kitchen Company premises on Market Place.

Experts include Health Architect Sarah Kekus, TV chef Peter Sidwell, Nick Shill. of Shill's Cockermouth, Katie Reid and Paul Currie, of the Lakes Distillery and Andy Walsh, of the Coffee Kitchen.

The kitchen firm has been flooded twice.

Jim Woodford, co-owner of Cockermouth Kitchen Company, said: “I took over the business in 2010 after the shop was swamped by the 2009 floods.

"The building was then hit again by Storm Desmond in December and we are currently undergoing a complete renovation to repair that damage.

"I hope by holding the Taste Cumbria masterclasses in our shop window we will show again how resilient this town is, and bring even more people to Market Place to see the spirit which has brought this business back again and stronger than ever.”

The masterclasses take place on September 24 and 25.

The full line-up is:

11am: Health and well-being question-and-answer session with The Health Architect, Sarah Kekus, £5

Noon: Peter Sidwell’s Simply Good Food fresh Italian pasta, £10

1pm: Katie Read and Paul Currie of the Lakes Distillery, £10

2pm: Wine tasting with Nick Shill, of Shill’s of Cockermouth, £10

3pm: Grub Club children’s masterclass – create clarty pizza with Andy Walsh of The Coffee Kitchen, free

Sarah will be appearing at Taste Cumbria for the first time this year. She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been asked to talk at Taste Cumbria. There are a lot confusing and conflicting healthy eating messages out there and so I’m looking forward to sharing my ideas on how to eat well without it costing a fortune, or having to spend hours in the kitchen. Participants can come along with their burning questions on all things nutrition.”

Places for the masterclasses are limited. Tickets are available to book now online at www.tastecumbria.com or by calling 01228 612000.

There are lots of other attractions at the festival this year.

It kicks off on the Friday with a comedy night at the Trout Hotel, a beer festival at Jennings Brewery, hosted by Tractor Shed Brewing, of Seaton, and a pop-up restaurant with Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan.

All day Saturday and Sunday, there will be a huge producers’ market on Main Street, plus a hot food court and children’s entertainment in Market Place.

On Saturday night, covers band Room 101, will take to the stage at the Trout Hotel.

Refreshments will include The One whisky and The Lakes Gin from the Lakes Distillery, with a Cumbrian supper.

Sunday sees tutored tasting sessions of limited edition spirits from the Lakes Distillery, hosted by Katie Read and Paul Currie from the Setmurthy-based business.

Taste Cumbria has a wealth of local partners. The 2016 festival is organised in association with Allerdale council and Cumbria Life, its main sponsors are Cockermouth Town Council, the Lakes Distillery and the Trout Hotel, and associate sponsors are Caterite, Cockermouth Kitchen Company, The Coffee Kitchen, Cumbria Tourism, Jennings Brewery, L’Enclume, Mitchells Auction Company, Robert Welch Designs and the Wood Hall luxury self-catering property.

Tickets for the Taste Cumbria pop-up restaurant, the events at the Trout Hotel and Cumbria Life masterclasses are on sale now.

Visit www.tastecumbria.com, call 01228 612000, or visit the CN Newspapers offices in Workington, Whitehaven, or Bank Street or Dalston Road in Carlisle.

Places for the masterclasses are limited. Tickets are available to book now online at www.tastecumbria.com or by calling 01228 612000.