Chef, restaurateur and television presenter Rick Stein was at Jarrold's yesterday, signing books, chatting to fans and posing for photos.

Rick was there to promote his new book Rick Stein's Spain.

Rick said: 'I very much like coming to Norfolk; we did quite a lot of filming here on the coast for Food Heroes, we went mushroom picking in the forests outside Norwich and I've got fond childhood memories of going on the Norfolk Broads.

'I had quite a lot of school friends that lived here so used I came here quite a lot. I also think that Norwich is a very attractive city.

'It's lovely for food; there's very good produce in Norfolk. Cromer crab, very good cockles and you get very nice flat fish on the North Sea.'

Jackie Howell, from Hethersett, said after meeting Rick: 'It's always nice to speak to somebody that you see like to watch all of the time.

'It's lovely of him to come down, especially as we're out of the way a bit. When I spoke to him I asked him if there was a waiting list for his restaurant!'

Crowds came in a steady flow during the hour, relishing the chance to chat briefly to their food hero.

In addition, Rick also held an 'Evening With…' at Delia's, Carrow Road last night. Guests heard him give a talk, take part in a Q and A session and were served food made from recipes found in his new book.