The full line up of celebrity chefs for Bishop Auckland Food Festival has now been confirmed, as organisers announce who will be appearing on Sunday.
County Durham’s biggest food festival returns to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for two days of sizzling street food, delicious desserts and fun-filled family entertainment.
There will be over 140 traders selling high-quality produce, as well as the festival’s signature cookery theatre featuring demonstrations from some of the most popular celebrity chefs.
Organiser Durham County Council recently announced the line up for Saturday, which will see Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer, social media baker Jane’s Patisserie, and MasterChef winner Brin Piranthapan take to the cookery stage.
Now, the council has confirmed the remaining star chefs who will be entertaining audiences on Sunday.
Returning to the county is formidable TV judge and pastry chef, Cherish Finden, who has previously appeared at Bishop’s sister event, Seaham Food Festival.
A highly decorated pastry chef, Cherish is best known for her role as a judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals where she delivers her trademark sharp critiques.
She has also featured as a mentor on Celebrity MasterChef and has appeared on programmes including Heston’s Great British Food, Saturday Kitchen, and Australian MasterChef.
With over 20 years of international experience as a pastry chef, Cherish has earned many awards in her career, including leading the Singapore pastry team to win the 2000 IKA Culinary Olympics and receiving the Macallan Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also appearing on Sunday is Italian chef, Francesco Mattana.
Born in Sardinia, Francesco spent a lot of his childhood with his extended family learning about fishing, farming and cooking traditional Italian cuisine.
After leaving the army, Francesco worked as a chef in Italy before opening his own restaurant and pizzeria in Brisbane, Australia.
Upon his return to Europe in 2017, Francesco founded @our_cookingjourney on social media, building a large following where he shares his vast knowledge and inspires people to get cooking.
Francesco is also an advocate for eating sustainably and reducing food waste, something he learned from his Sardinian upbringing where they use the whole ingredient.
Also returning to County Durham to appear at Bishop Auckland is master chocolatier, Paul A Young.
Named one of the world’s finest master chocolatiers, Yorkshire-born Paul grew up in Trimdon Station and trained to be a chef at New College Durham, after baking with his mum and grandmother sparked a love for all things sweet.
Paul has appeared on several TV programmes including This Morning, Sunday Brunch, Saturday Kitchen, The Apprentice, Blue Peter, and Top Chef US.
His London shop won Best New Chocolate Shop, leading to the opening of three more chocolateries.
In 2022, Paul launched Chocolate at Home, a one-to-one hands-on masterclass from his home kitchen, teaching the fundamentals of chocolate-making.
And festivalgoers will be able to get a flavour of these masterclasses as, in addition to demonstrating his skills on the cookery stage, Paul will be hosting a series of chocolate workshops at Bishop Auckland Food Festival.
The hour-long sessions will take place at 11am and 3pm on the Saturday, where visitors can learn how to make hand-rolled chocolate truffles.
Places on the workshop are limited, and tickets can be booked in advance at https://bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk/bishop-auckland-2025-chocolate-masterclass/
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We’re delighted to announce the fantastic celebrity chefs who will be taking to the cookery stage on Sunday with their inspiring demonstrations. Cherish, Francesco and Paul make the final line up for Bishop Auckland Food Festival, joining Simon, Jane and Brin, and I’m sure many will agree that this line up makes for a very exciting weekend.
“We’re pleased to welcome back chefs who have visited our festivals before, as well as introducing some new ones, to enjoy to the warmth and vibrancy of Bishop Auckland, and the wider region.”
Bishop Auckland Food Festival is just one of the many cultural events taking place in County Durham this year, cementing Durham’s position as the ‘culture county’ and demonstrating the council’s ongoing commitment to culture-led regeneration.
For more information and the latest announcements, visit www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk
