CELEBRITY CHEFS SET TO BE STAR ATTRACTION AT PICKERING SHOWGROUND’S GAME & COUNTRY FAIR
Internationally renowned chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Aldo Zilli will be the stars of the show at Pickering Showground’s annual Game and Country Fair.
The Northern Events Arena, one mile south of the town of Pickering, North Yorkshire, is hosting the fair, which is in its 5th year on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to the event which offers a vast array of attractions with something to please the whole family and keep everyone amused.
On Saturday Antony Worrall Thompson will prepare tantalizing meals in three cookery demonstrations throughout the day. Antony will be given a helping hand by fellow celebrity chef James Martin’s mentor Ken Allanson and Alan Ellis from County Durham game supplier’s Rushyford Game.
While on Sunday it will be the turn of Aldo Zilli, the charismatic Italian restraunter and ITV1 Celebrity Fit Club star who will be getting his creative juices flowing to tickle people’s taste buds. He will be assisted by Andrew Pern, the head chef at the Michelin starred restaurant, the Star Inn at Harome near Helmsley, with more help from Alan Ellis.
An enormous food hall selling an array of the best produce and products from the Yorkshire region as well as delicacies from the rest of the country completes the line up for this huge festival of food.
But Pickering Game and Country Fair is not just a feast for the stomach, it will but a feast for people’s eyes too.
A packed arena programme will begin at 10am featuring a sheepdog display, gundog demonstration, falconry displays, heavy horse demonstrations and Mounted Games Association displays to name just a few.
Also on offer will be the chance to try your hand at archery, see birds of prey, watch a sheep shearing show, vintage tractors, rural crafts and demonstrations of stick making and willow weaving.
There will be hundreds of trade stands, a large craft marquee a vintage fairground to keep the young and young at heart entertained, a licensed bar and plenty of catering outlets too.
The Mounted Games Association, a fast moving and action-packed equestrian relay competition, will be holding their Home International Championship over the weekend at the showground with teams taking part representing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, North of England and South of England. Local girl Melanie Ardern, who is a member of the Yorkshire team, will be representing the North of England in the challenge as they attempt to scoop the title for the fifth year in a row.
An added attraction for this year will be a Shire Horse Show taking place on Saturday. The event will be open to any heavy breed and is being sponsored by Sheffield based transport Engineers, A.Couldwell & Sons. Prize money and rosettes will be presented at 4pm.
A national clay pigeon shooting competition and air rifle competition will be taking place and people will also be able to have a go at various challenges from each discipline from beginners to expert levels.
Watch the terriers, lurchers and ferrets race to the finish line at races in the morning and afternoon. Entries can be made on the day so why not bring along your furry friends to compete.
On the banks of the showground’s own lake, Roy Baker will be giving fly casting tuition or
why not watch the fast-moving Gundog Scurry Championship.
Whether it’s a specialist interest you have or simply fancy a day out with something for young and old alike, a visit to the Pickering Game and Country Fair 2008 is not to be missed.
Gates open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.
Tickets are priced adults £8, over 65s £7, under 16s £4 and a family ticket admitting two adults and up to three children costs £20.
