Foodies from the borough and across the region turned out in their thousands to enjoy a large helping of celebrity and local chef demos, expert talks and a fantastic assortment of over 80 food and drink stalls. All served with a sprinkling of top-class entertainment, at the sixth free-to-attend Woking Food and Drink Festival 2018 (Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September 2018).
Top-drawer celebrity chefs
International Emmy nominated Ching He Huang showcased her style of modern Chinese cooking.
Worthing based bank manager, Kenny Tutt wowed the demo theatre crowds with two of his signature dishes. He was crowned MasterChef Champion 2018, following his final three-course meal which impressed judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, who described his food as ‘restaurant-style perfection’ and ‘make-my-heart-thump fantastic’.
The Gangotra Sisters, winners of BBC2’s The Big Family Showdown 2017, served up aromatic flavours of Asia. Local business owner, Lorna Nanda Gangotra and her sisters appeared on inaugural BBC TV series which pitched 16 families against each other in a number of food challenges.
Adding another winning combination to the theatre menu was Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, MasterChef Champion 2017. In front of 6 million TV viewers, Saliha, a passionate home cook, wife, mother and junior doctor, battled against 64 contestants to win the illustrious amateur cook’s title.
Surrey’s crème de la crème
Representing the best of Surrey’s local culinary talent will be:
Senior instructors from Tante Marie Culinary Academy
Dougie Balish, Head Chef at The Tudor Room at Great Fosters (1 Michelin Star), Egham
Steve Drake, Chef Patron of Sorrel (1 Michelin Star), Dorking, and owner of The Anchor, Ripley
Dan Britten and Jimi Mistry, private chefs and pop up restaurateurs
Jack Sturgess, Bake with Jack owner
Simon Taylor, Head Butcher and owner of Surrey Hill Butchers, Oxshott
Philip Friend, finalist on BBC's Britain's Best Home Cook 2018
David Frear, Tante Marie graduate and Patissier at Le Papillion, Woking
Steve Tremblay, owner of Tremblay's catering, Woking
View the festival's full photo highlights
