TV chef Jason Atherton will front festival of food

A FORMER Boston lad will be the star attraction in a prestigious food festival this summer.

Jason Atherton trained at Boston College before going on to work under Gordon Ramsey and is now a Michelin-starred chef in his own right.

He has agreed to be the official patron of this summer's South Holland Food Festival which will also see demonstrations from fellow Lincolnshire-born chef Rachel Green.

Jason regularly appears on television shows including Saturday Kitchen and The Great British Menu as well as winning an unprecedented number of awards.

He said: "It is really important for me to always remember my childhood and where I grew up.

"I still have a strong connection to this area and I am very proud to support this festival and Lincolnshire as a whole and put it back on the map where it belongs."

Jason trained at Boston College and learned his culinary skills from some of the world's top chefs. He has won over seven awards in his career including London's Outstanding Chef in 2008.

Known as ITV's Flying Cook, Rachel is also known for her appearances on BBC Breakfast, Market Kitchen and her Radio Lincolnshire slot, Rachel Green's Food for Thought.

She comes from a strong Lincolnshire farming background which has farmed for 14 generations.

The finale of the festival will be a family event with free admission at the Castle Sports Complex, Spalding, on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15 from 10am to 4pm.

Jason will be performing two demonstrations and signing copies of his latest book, Gourmet Food for a Fiver.

For more information about the festival visit www.food-festival.net