A CELEBRITY chef will create summer-themed dishes in a food theatre coming to Basingstoke this Sunday.

Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen chef Brian Turner will serve up a feast using the best of Hampshire’s seasonal fare at this year’s Taste at the Top of The Town.

The president of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, said: “I’m really looking forward to coming to Basingstoke for Taste at the Top of The Town. I’ll be cooking up some simple, tasty summer recipes live in the food theatre using fresh produce from local suppliers and showing you how easy it can be to work with different ingredients.”

The event runs from 10am to 5pm in Market Place, and is part of Hampshire Fare’s Food Festival, which celebrates local produce and farming during July.

Organised by Proteus Theatre Company and BIG Adventures, in conjunction with Hampshire Fare, on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Taste at the Top of The Town will include cooking demonstrations from award-winning Basingstoke chef Gordon Stott, from The Sun Inn, in Dummer, who will cook family favourites; Tania Casey from Broughton Water Buffalo; and Paulo Gonclaves, from the town’s Portuguese Ponto De Encontro Cafe, who will cook delicacies using traditional codfish.

Patti Sloely, a protegee of chef Jean Christophe Novelli, will return to the event to cook African cuisine in the food theatre, and there will also be the popular Top of The Town Omelette Challenge.

As well as watching chefs at work in the theatre, foodie fans will also be able to sample local food and drink treats from Hampshire Fare producers and local traders, who will offer a range of goodies from organic farm products to award-winning Mauritian delights.

Visitors can also take advantage of a food trail leaflet available on the day, featuring local restaurant discounts.

Councillor Terri Reid, the borough council’s deputy leader, said: “We are delighted to welcome the wonderfully talented chef Brian Turner to this year’s Taste at the Top of The Town. He is sure to impress the audience with his delicious dishes using seasonal Hampshire produce.

“We have a packed food festival programme that will delight visitors of all ages and tastes.

“Join us in the historic heart of Basingstoke on Sunday and enjoy a flavour of the finest food and drink on offer in the borough and from Hampshire.”

For more information visit topofthetown.org.