Thinking of joining us? This live entertainment is included in the price of your ticket!
2026 Live Cookery Theatre Line-Up
In partnership with Makbul Patel of The Great British Bake Off, we’re hosting some of the region’s acclaimed culinary experts, including MasterChef & Great British Bake Off Competitors, celebrity chefs, award-winning specialists, and independent food entrepreneurs.
SATURDAY
11:00 Barrington Douglas (Barringtons Foods Ltd)
Learn the bold Caribbean flavours behind pan-roasted jerk cod fillet
12:00 Professor Rob Appleby (Manchester University)
The science behind enhancing flavour
13:00 Eva Humphries (Whole Food Warrior)
How nutrient-rich, flavour-packed food leads to happier living
14:00 Gareth Mason (Mason Management)
A culinary mix of Mediterranean fusions
15:00 Tony Alberti (Cookbook Author & TV Personality)
The fundamentals and artistry of authentic Italian pasta-making
16:00 Makbul Patel (The Great British Bake Off)
Pizza-making masterclass / workshop
SUNDAY
11:00 Brian Mellor (Dad’s Kitchen & Garden)
A demonstration fueled by over 40 years of experience in professional kitchens
12:00 Sean Noonan (Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa)
Championing locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients that support British farming
13:00 Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip at Treehouse Hotel)
Seasonal, low-waste cooking that utilises outstanding British produce
14:00 Raanan Malkin (RM Fine Chocolate)
The intricacies of preparing soft-centre chocolates using traditional methods
15:00 John Paul Alberti (Cookbook Author & TV Personality)
The techniques behind of one of Italy’s most beloved desserts tiramisù
16:00 Olayemi Adelekan (Yummy By Design / MasterChef UK)
Smoky jollof rice, crispy-fried plantain and smoked turkey in a red pepper Sauce
Further Information
Olayemi Adelekan (Yummy By Design / MasterChef UK) – MasterChef Semi-Finalist, food writer and the creator of Yummy By Design, Olayemi’s cooking blends West African, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, and global influences into bold, flavour-led dishes. Her demonstration features smoky jollof rice, crispy-fried plantain and smoked turkey in a red pepper Sauce
John Paul Alberti (Cookbook Author & TV Personality) – Italian-cuisine specialist John Paul Alberti is a celebrated cookbook author and chef, known for combining technical precision with approachable cooking. Attendees can learn with John Paul the techniques behind one of Italy’s most beloved desserts, tiramisù.
Raanan Malkin (RM Fine Chocolate) – Founder and Head Chocolatier of RM Fine Chocolate, an artisan chocolate studio based in Prestwich, Raanan Malkin will showcase to attendees the intricacies of preparing soft-centre chocolates using traditional methods.
Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip at Treehouse Hotel) – Mary-Ellen McTague has established herself as one of Manchester’s most beloved and influential chefs, leading Pip to recognition in the Michelin Guide just months after opening. Mary’s approach is rooted in seasonal, low-waste cooking that utilises outstanding British produce.
Sean Noonan (Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa) – Starting his career at just 15 years old, Sean Noonan’s extensive culinary background has led to becoming the Head Chef of Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa. Sean’s demonstration will champion locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients that create diverse flavours while supporting British farming.
Brian Mellor (Dad’s Kitchen & Garden) – Brian Mellor is the Chef Ambassador for Cheshire College South and West and founder of Dad’s Kitchen and Garden, an online extension of his award-winning cookery school. Brian’s immersive demonstration will be fueled by over 40 years of experience in professional kitchens.
Makbul Patel (The Great British Bake Off) – Self-taught baker, Great British Bake Off Star and Cookery Theatre host Makbul Patel takes centre stage, delivering an engaging pizza-making workshop.
Tony Alberti (Cookbook Author & TV Personality) – Professional chef, cookbook author and television personality Tony Alberti will be walking attendees through an immersive pasta-making masterclass, taking the audience on a journey through the fundamentals and artistry of authentic Italian pasta-making.
Gareth Mason (Mason Management) – Multi award-winning Chef and business investor Gareth Mason is a professional in all aspects of high profile private dining. Gareth will be using his wealth of experience to showcase a culinary mix of Mediterranean fusions to festival-goers.
Eva Humphries (Whole Food Warrior) – Eva Humphries, MSc, DipION, mBANT, CNHC, is a clinical nutritionist who champions whole, flavour-packed food, advocating for happier living through nourishing, nutrient-rich dishes.
Professor Rob Appleby (Manchester University) – Professor of Physics and Associate Vice President at the University of Manchester, Rob Appleby will demonstrate how transitions between phases of matter can be manipulated by particular variables to enhance flavour.
Barrington Douglas (Barringtons Foods Ltd) – Independent business owner and recipient of a Great Taste Award, Chef Barrington’s demonstration showcases bold Caribbean flavours, including a pan-roasted jerk cod fillet.
