Discerning foodies gathered in their thousands at Hampton Court Palace over the bank holiday weekend to share their love of everything edible.

The Foodies at the festival was held in the palace’s gardens, where Michelin star chefs and talented cooks demonstrated their best dishes.

Masterchef 2009 winner Mat Follas was there with Ed Baines and Gary Lee from top London restaurant the Ivy, alongside 16 other chefs.

Budding young chefs were offered junior masterclasses while the adults enjoyed a tipple or two in champagne tasting tents.

Champagne experts Veuve Clicquot and Harvey Nichols offered lessons in bubbly tasting while industry experts including the Observer’s food critic Jay Rayner and ITV’s Taste the Nation judge Henrietta Green met with visitors.

Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “Foodies was an incredible success at the Edinburgh Festival, so I was very excited to expand the event and provide the rest of the UK with this fantastic opportunity to celebrate food and drink.”

Organisers predicted a turnout of 25,000 and the sunshine certainly did not disappoint in attracting the crowds.

The weekend proved to be a fun event for all the family and those with a passion for fine food, drink and a commitment to fresh, seasonal produce.

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