Published August 30th, 2019
Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, will be joining the team of chef A-listers at this year’s Padstow Christmas Festival.
The annual event, to be held from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 December, is one of the largest of its kind in the country and is a showcase for Cornwall’s thriving food and hospitality industry. It includes a Christmas market, two chef demonstration theatres, live music and community events scheduled throughout four days.
High profile Cornwall chefs Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw will once again take centre-stage at the festival.
The trio will be joined by other famous chefs including José Pizarro, a regular on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen and Brian Turner, CBE, a familiar face on BBC2’s Ready Steady Cook. Phil Vickery, chef on ITV’s This Morning will also be at the festival as well as Atul Kochhar, who is a frequent contributor to BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen and has featured on Masterchef Goes Large, Million Pound Menu, and the Great British Menu.
Rick Stein commented: “Every year the event gets bigger and better. It is a great example of what Cornwall has to offer; from some of our most successful local food producers to the fine chefs who have chosen Cornwall as a great place to live and work. We are lucky to have access to some of the best ingredients right here, on our doorstep.
“This is our twelfth Padstow Christmas Festival and it is an honour to be welcoming Atul Kochhar to this year’s line-up.”
Atul Kochhar will be providing cooking demonstrations on the first day of the event, Thursday 5 December. He has developed a reputation for fine Indian cuisine and changed the way people perceive and experience Indian dining. His London restaurant Kanishka is a showcase for food from the easternmost region of India. He also has award-winning restaurants Sindhu in Marlow, Hawkyns in Amersham and Indian Essence in Petts Wood.
The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the picturesque fishing town of Padstow which comes alive with cookery demonstrations, culinary hints and tips, Christmas shopping, and a smorgasbord of food and drink.
The popular Christmas Market will house a diverse range of crafts, gifts and artwork as well as more than 100 local food and drinks providers ranging from artisan bread, cakes, chocolate, meats, cheeses, preserves and alcoholic beverages.
Live music and community events such as a charity Santa fun run, chef’s breakfast and fireworks will also take place throughout the event.
The festival is free to attend and will be opened by Nathan Outlaw in the Sharp’s Chefs’ Theatre at midday on Thursday 5 December.
The full line-up will be announced in the coming months. Visit www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk for the most up-to-date information.
