THOUSANDS of foodies are expected to drop by Caldicot Castle this weekend for the bi-annual Monmouthshire Food Festival.

The event will celebrate the best of local produce in the county with a full programme of demonstrations, talks, tastings and plenty of food and drink to try and buy.

The Chef’s Theatre features many of Monmouthshire’s best chefs, who will give a taste of the food on offer at the county’s finest hotels and restaurants.

Chris Harrod, patron of the Michelin-starred Whitebrook restaurant, will return to give a masterful demonstration along with his colleague, the Chepstow-based forager Henry Ashby.

The festival will also be marking the World Day of Bees on Saturday by giving people the chance to learn about how critical bees are to our food supplies.

“One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination,” said organiser Charlotte Greig.

“At a time when a crisis is threatening the world’s honey bees, learn how we can all help to support a healthy bee population.”

The Look and Learn Theatre will have a packed programme of demonstrations, talks and tastings where visitors can learn how to temper chocolate with Jules James from Black Mountain Gold Chocolate in Abergavenny or enjoy a gin masterclass from Duncan Fox of Haven Distillery.

The return of the Children’s Quarter, hosted by Monmouthshire Youth Service, will also ensure that visitors of all ages are catered for.

Other features of the festival include a producers’ market, talks from dairy farmers Lawrence and Izabela Hembrow from Mead Farm in Redwick and a chance to meet some clever canines courtesy of Guide Dogs Cymru.

It will take place on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 between 10am and 4.30pm.

Tickets will cost £5 while children under 12 go free.

For details, Visit monmouthshirefoodfestival.co.uk for details.