MICHELIN Star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli is on the run - but he’ll be hiding out in Elsecar over the weekend as he returns to the Flavours Food Festival.
The Frenchman, currently starring in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted, will return for the second year in a row to the annual food and drink festival.
The family-friendly weekend will host a variety of workshops, demonstrations and live entertainment through the weekend, with Jean-Christophe once again making the most of local produce as he entertains and educates audiences.
“I’m very much looking forward to the festival,” he said.
“It will be a lot of fun and I hope educational as well. I’m going to be using as many local products as possible to show people what new things they can do.
“I’m there for people to talk to me, I don’t just cook and then go away. I will be around for people to ask me questions, I’m very much a people person and I love that about the festival.
“Last year was such a brilliant family event and I am sure this year will be even more successful.
“I was amazed at how organised it was, and there was so much passion among the people there.
“It’s such a beautiful place. I travelled away from the festival last year and tried to see as much as I could while I was there, going to Worsbrough Mill and learning about the history.”
Joining Jean-Christophe will be Tim Bilton, head chef at Cannon Hall Farm’s White Bull restaurant, Great British Bake Off’s Karen Wright, and TV chef Tosin Dayo-Oyekole.
Tim, who is currently battling cancer, is a good friend of Jean-Christophe’s - with the TV chef raising £12,000 through a cooking demonstration at Cannon Hall Farm in support of the 47-year-old.
The pair will again share the stage at Elsecar.
“I’m excited to be alongside Tim, he’s a very special man and I’m proud to be supporting him,” said Jean-Christophe.
“I’ll be there with him to help out, I’ll even be doing the washing up if I can.”
Once his stint on Celebrity Hunted is over, Jean-Christophe told the Chronicle he would be again appearing at Cannon Hall Farm in support of Tim.
Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman, said: “We are delighted that Jean-Christophe Novelli will be returning to Barnsley alongside a lineup of fantastic Yorkshire chefs.
“Last year’s festival was a triumph and we are certain that this year will be even better.”
The Flavours Food Festival will take place at Elsecar Heritage Centre from 10am to 6pm tomorrow and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
