Organisers of this weekend’s Shrewsbury Food Festival have made the surprise announcement that Jean-Christophe Novelli will be attending the festival on Sunday.
The multi-Michelin star and 5 out of 5 AA Rosette winning chef and restaurateur will be giving a masterclass on The Kitchen Depot Cook Along with the Chef Stage. Jean-Christophe, who has catered for Heads of State, Royalty, and renowned personalities around the world, will also give an expert demonstration on The Shropshire Distillery Chef Stage.
Jean-Christophe began his career aged 14 as a baker in his hometown of Arras in France. His life changed completely in 1989 when Keith Floyd asked him to take charge of ‘The Maltsters’, leading to his move to the Gordleton Mill in Hampshire where he won his first Michelin star after only one year. In 1994 Jean Christophe was offered the position of head chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, picking up another Michelin star.
Following several renowned restaurants in London, Cape Town and Normandy, his passion for sharing his talent led him to open his own cookery school, The Novelli Academy.
He has appeared in several TV programmes, most recently as a fugitive on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted where millions watched him beat ‘the Hunters’ and raise huge amounts for charity. Earlier this year he was awarded an honorary MBE in recognition of his many acts of ‘voluntary and charitable service’.
Festival director Beth Heath said, “Novelli is the biggest chef talent we’ve ever had at our food festival, so this is a huge moment for the team. Having not been able to hold the festival for over two years due to COVID, we wanted to make this one unforgettable and securing Novelli is a major coup.”
There will be over 180 food, drink and craft exhibitors and street food vendors, as well as bars to enjoy, a kids’ zone with free activities and the Woodings Live Music Stage.
The Shrewsbury Food Festival takes place on September 4 and 5 at Shrewsbury’s Quarry. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance from shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk until Friday, with full price tickets available to buy on the gate.
CAPTION: Jean-Christophe Novelli.
