THE joint sponsors for this year’s Newport Food Festival have been announced.

The Celtic Manor Resort and Coleg Gwent will sponsor the fourth food festival in the city, which will take place on Saturday, October 4, with events in Newport’s market, Riverfront Theatre and the city centre.

The festival has successfully grown year-on-year, with 2013 seeing a record number of exhibitors and visitors.

The event aims to celebrate Newport’s diverse and vibrant food sector, including manufacturing and retail, and bring food enthusiasts together in the city centre through a range of cookery demonstrations, as well as activities for the whole family including street theatre.

Celtic Manor Resort executive head chef, Mike Bates, said: “We are delighted to be one of the sponsors for this year’s Newport Food Festival.

“We’ve seen the festival grow in size and stature over the years and look forward to participating in this wonderful celebration of all the food industry assets we have here in Newport and the surrounding area.”

There will be a full packed menu of events and activities for visitors to the festival including exhibitor stalls selling a range of wonderful produce, free chef demonstrations by top regional chefs, special chef master classes, which are ticketed events, and the final of the Teen Chef competition.

Caroline Daly, business liaison manager from Coleg Gwent’s business team, said: “We are very proud to be supporting Newport’s flagship food festival event in 2014.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talent and skill of people in the city.”

Newport City Council cabinet member for leisure and culture, Councillor Debbie Wilcox, said: “Newport’s Food Festival has grown in popularity and is a must-visit food event.”