THE chef at Oxford's only Michelin-starred restaurant will be among the star exhibitors at the 10th annual Oxford Foodies Festival this weekend.

Paul Wellburn, who earnt the Oxford Kitchen in Summertown its coveted accolade last year, will be one of the many giving live cookery demonstrations at the South Park spectacular.

Also showing off their skills will be Thai Oxford University student and MasterChef finalist Nawamin Pinpathomrat, pub chef Chris Bentham, formerly of the Black Boy in Headington, and Claire Andersson of the Scandinavian Skogen Kitchen on King Edward Street.

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This year's festival will also feature a seafood restaurant run by Neil Wornham of Shellfish Cow in Wallingford, serving oysters, prawns and crab sandwiches.

He said: "I’ve visited the festival a few times at Oxford and was inspired to return as an exhibitor.

Bicester Advertiser:

"People love the experience of eating fish from a shell with a fork so this time I’m returning ‘on the other side.’

"It’s a great opportunity to try meaty Porthilly oysters from Cornwall. Seeing the huge crowds of previous years, I expect to be busy."

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Other Oxford exhibitors among the record number of artisan producers include Papillion liqueurs, Pindy’s samosas and Team Tea with a wide variety of loose teas.

More than 25,000 people are expected to descend on South Park today, tomorrow and Monday.

Bicester Advertiser:

As well as the 100 exhibitors and producers there will be a street food village to keep punters fuelled up, a Cakes and Desserts Theatre, a Kids Cookery School, Healthy Living Theatre and food and drink masterclasses.

Visitors can wash down their purchases with a range of tasty tipples from vegan beer and cider to champagne, wine and gin in various different flavours.

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Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “It’s all systems go. We’re already busy on site preparing for a big influx of visitors."

The 2019 event will even feature the festival's first dog arena with fun competitions, and live music will be provided by former chart toppers Scouting for Girls and Queen tribute act Flash.

Some of the profits from the event will go to homelessness charity Crisis. Go to foodiesfestival.com or call 0844 9951111.