Organisers of the Norfolk Food Festival are set to use the summer's biggest showcase of top local produce to lure food lovers to a host of events this September.

The Royal Norfolk Show has a reputation for supporting and promoting this county's world-class food and drink industry.

And this year's two-day event will be no exception with demonstrations from the area's top chefs, tasty samples and plenty of producers to discover.

Among the many exhibitors in the show's huge food hall will be representatives of the 2011 EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival, who will have a marquee close to the cookery theatre.

Committee member Nick De'ath said it was the obvious place to tell food lovers from Norfolk and across the country about the many exciting events lined up for this September.

He said: 'We hope to use the Royal Norfolk Show's food hall as a great launch site for the festival. Thousands of people come through there over the two days and the show is a great showcase for Norfolk produce. It's the perfect environment.'

Visitors will be able to find out about the festival's five big weekends which aim to encourage tourists from across the UK to head to Norfolk and get a taste for its many food offerings.

Beginning with the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival on September 3 and 4, it will show off everything from Breckland's game and wild fruits, to Aylsham's slow food philosophy and the many farmers' markets and farm shops found in every corner of the county.

Norfolk Show visitors will also get a chance to 'meet the chef' at the festival marquee following a series of demonstrations at the food hall's cookery theatre.

Chris Coubrough, from the Flying Kiwi Inns, masterchef finalist Tim Kinnaird, butcher Arthur Howell and Richard Hughes, from the Lavender House, will appear on stage both days with festival patron Galton Blakiston among the many others taking part.

Food festival committee member and show manager for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) Sarah de Chair said the two events were perfectly matched.

She said: 'They fit together brilliantly. About two-thirds of the producers in the food hall are Norfolk producers and one of the raisons d'etre for the RNAA is to promote the best in Norfolk and give them a shop window for all our local produce.'

The show manager said having so many great food and drink stalls under one roof always drew in huge crowds and would give prospective festival goers a taste of what was to come later in the year.

Visitors to the show can also talk to organisers about hosting their own food festival event.

For more information visit www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk.

victoria.leggett@archant.co.uk