A GOURMET feast of food, drink and music makes its return to Oxford next month, with MasterChef and Bake Off champions and pop acts Scouting For Girls and Toploader all on the menu.

Foodies Festival is a three day feast full of cake, drinks and street food and it will be returning to Oxford at South Park on August Bank Holiday weekend.

Taking part in the gastronomic festival and cooking up a storm will be several award-winning chefs including: Tom Rhodes, MasterChef 2021 champion, Alex Webb, MasterChef: The Professionals champion, MasterChef 2021 finalist Laura Michael and 2020 MasterChef finalist Sandy Tang.

Michelin starred restaurateurs Mike North from the Nut Tree Inn at Murcott, near Kidlington, and Nick Galer from The Miller of Mansfield in Goring, will also be showing off their considerable talents.

Alex Webb, Masterchef: The Professionals champion 2020, said he was pleased to be joining the series. He said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be touring around the country with Foodies Festivals this summer. I’ve been working on lots of delicious new recipes and I can’t wait to see you all in person and cook live on stage."

The musical feast is just as sumptuous with the platinum-selling Scouting For Girls performing crowd-pleasing hits, including, She’s So Lovely, Heartbeat and Elvis Ain’t Dead. Festival favourites Toploader will ensure that Dancing In The Moonlight is on the cards and top-ranked Lady Gaga tribute act, Maybe Gaga, will bring to life the star’s biggest hits. More than 50 bands and artists will take to the stage across the long weekend.

Foodies Festival began in 2004 and was rapidly dubbed the 'gastro-Glastonbury' and this year the festival has returned with Covid safe events in ten regions including Oxford.

At the three-day festival, visitors can enjoy a Chefs Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre with wine, champagne, beer and cocktail making masterclasses, Shopping Village with award-winning artisan producers, Street Food Avenue, Kids Cookery School and live music stage. Other attractions include Foodies famous chilli eating competition and family friendly areas with activities for children.

More than 150 exhibitors will showcase their produce, providing festival-goers with a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of Oxford - and to try a huge selection of delicious food and drink from around the world.

Director Sue Hitchen said: "I am so pleased that we are returning to Oxford this year, bringing top chefs to cook live and big name music acts to our stage.

“As we're outdoors and in local parks we are able to plan Covid-safe festivals, and our experienced Health and Safety team are working closely with local councils across the country to make sure we take all appropriate measures and follow government guidelines to keep everyone safe.

“There has never been a better time to support local restaurants and food producers and we are all ready to enjoy a fun day out with friends.”