Don’t miss these two exciting food festivals taking place in Norfolk this month

Top food critic and MasterChef regular Jay Rayner is the headline act in a new food festival which starts at the Assembly House in Norwich this month. Rayner, with his new show The Ten (Food) Commandments appears at the end of the three-month festival, which features a diverse array of entertainments including a one-night re-opening of the Noverre Cinema (showing Chocolat, naturally) and dinner with Karl Goward of Shepherds of Westminster, the politicos’ favourite diner.

Additionally there is a game master class and lunch with Jose L Souto, the chance to share some serious puddings with the BBC’s David Clayton, the very indulgent school of chocolate with Gary Hunter and a great British food quiz.

“We want to do something different,” says the Assembly House’s Richard Hughes. “We want to put on a bit of a show as well as have some good food out there. It should be fun!”

Also serving up fun at the Assembly House were the ‘School of Magic’ Harry Potter-inspired afternoon teas, with a Barmby-stormer of a cake from Great British Bake-Off’s Kate.

Meanwhile the ninth North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival at Holkham Hall will see more than 50 stall holders attracting over 12,000 hungry attendees for some goodies this month. Expect real ales and fresh juices, hog roast, meat and poultry, seafood, cheese, fruit and vegetables, honey, cakes and ice-cream, puddings and tarts among the treats on offer. Kate Barmby will be showcasing her skills in one of the main talking points of the festival: creating a beach hut scene out of biscuits in the children’s baking tent.

Chef and festival chairman Chris Coubrough says: “The festival isn’t just a celebration of our rich, culinary heritage and a chance to showcase outstanding field-to-fork produce to a wider audience but, most of all, a fantastic weekend to enjoy food and drink with friends and family in a stunning, iconic location. It’s a feast for all the senses!”

The Assembly House Food Festival, September, October, November. assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk

North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival, Holkham Hall, September 1 and 2; from 10am to 4pm. northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk