CUMBRIA'S foodies will be out in force this month to enjoy a tasty menu featuring some of the country's best-known chefs.

Famed food writer Grace Dent, MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou, a new Supper Club, and a long list of more well-known chefs, producers and entrepreneurs are all lined up for the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth.

The ever-popular producers’ market will take place on Main Street, while over in Memorial Gardens Car Park, off Wakefield Road, there is a drinks tent, live music stage, picnic area and fairground.  

New for 2022 will be a quiz night with stand-up comedian and broadcaster Steffen Peddie, and a Supper Club with Alec Anderson from West Cumbria-based Takeaway@Home who will be cooking a locally-sourced feast at Cockermouth Cricket Club. 

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a Q&A with Carlisle-born Grace Dent, restaurant critic for The Guardian, broadcaster on the likes of MasterChef, and host of the Comfort Eating podcast.

She will be in conversation with BBC Radio Cumbria’s breakfast show host Mike Zeller at an exclusive event at Wordsworth House and Garden.

Tickets cost £13 are limited and so book now for this event on Saturday, September 24, 1pm – 1.45pm.

Saturday night's offering will include a three-course meal by Alec Anderson, who trained in Michelin Star restaurants in Scotland and worked in top restaurants around the UK and Australia.

In 2020, he worked as a volunteer with the Greysouthen Village Hall preparing pre-cooked meals for vulnerable residents shielding during the pandemic. Thus, Takeaway@Home was born, which offers an alternative to your traditional takeaway providing delicious and creative menu options to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Tickets are £30.

Stand-up comedy circuit and BBC Radio presenter Steffen Peddie will host a food quiz at Christ Church. Bring your own food and drink and enjoy the fun. The winning team will take home a local food and drink hamper! Maximum team size: six people and the cost is £12 per team.

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There will be cooking demonstrations on both days with some top names showing off their culinary skills.

Organisers at Allerdale council said customers could expect plenty of local hospitality businesses selling their wares, street art with Beardy Synergy, face painting, and circus skills with a foodie twist.

Market Place businesses will be heading out onto the street to trade and acoustic music corner with local acts sourced by local promoter ‘Rock With’.

There will be children’s activities with Rainbow Wishes Foundation in The Vicky shared workspace.

And look out for the street theatre around town.

A free park-and-walk facility will operate from behind the Lakes Homecentre on Low Road. 

Taste Cumbria is organised by Allerdale Borough Council and supported by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, Tractor Shed Brewing, The Trout Hotel, Peter Sidwell, Cockermouth Cricket Club, Tithe Tap, Rock With and Newsquest Cumbria.