A FREE food event will aim to pull in crowds to the Top of The Town next month.

The Taste at the Top of The Town event, which is part of Hampshire Fare’s 15th annual county food festival, takes place from 10am on Sunday, August 2 in Market Place, Wote Street and London Street.

It will feature award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and BBC2’s Great British Menu contestant and chef patron at The Plough Inn in Longparish, James Durrant.

The chefs will be joined by regional food stalls and live music from the London Vegetable Orchestra.

Discounts will be offered at Top of The Town restaurants and bars, and those attending will have the opportunity to see traders from the area take part in an omelette challenge.

The event is being organised by Proteus Theatre Company, Big Adventures Event Management and Starfish Design and Marketing as part of the Basingstoke Town Centre Programme.

Councillor Terri Reid, Cabinet member for housing and regeneration who also leads the Town Centre Programme, said: “It is fantastic to be one of the 75 events taking place across the county as part of this year’s Hampshire Food Festival.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to attract more people to the area and show them what we have to offer.

“There will be something for all taste buds to enjoy so come along and sample Hampshire Fare at the Top of The Town.”