THE Monmouthshire Food Festival comes to Caldicot Castle on the first weekend of June with a full programme of demonstrations, talks, tastings and lots of food and drink to try and buy.

The festival is delighted that Chris Harrod, chef and patron of the Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms, will be cooking.

Chris has a clutch of awards for the Whitebrook including three AA Rosettes and a coveted Michelin star. He prepares original fine cuisine from locally sourced food flavoured with freshly foraged herbs and plants.

Henry Ashby will be on stage to talk about the herbs and plants that he forages for Chris to work his culinary magic. Their demonstration and talk promises to be memorable.

Some of the cleverest canines around will be attending the Monmouthshire Food Festival, courtesy of Guide Dogs Cymru.

The charity is offering visitors a chance to get up close to a guide dog or puppy and find out more about their vital work.

A team from Gwent Beekeepers will also be joining the festival. They will show just how critical bees are to our food supplies and how we can all help to support a healthy bee population.

The Look and Learn Theatre features master classes, tutored tastings, talks and demonstrations.

The producers market is full of delicious food and drink to try and buy. Whether a glass of beer brewed just a mile and a half from Caldicot Castle’s drawbridge or a loaf of bread made a few miles away in the village of Redwick. Also Farmhouse cheddar, craft cider, charcuterie and forty six varieties of tea to name just a few.

The festival will run from Saturday 4th to Sunday 5th June.

Entry is £5 and children under 12 go free. The festival is open from 10am to 5pm.