Halton Borough Council and Halton Strategic Partnership are providing food for thought during Foody Fortnight (Sunday 18 September to Sunday 2 October) – and giving local residents a taster of what culinary delights the area has to offer.

Halton Borough Council and Halton Strategic Partnership are providing food for thought during Foody Fortnight (Sunday 18 September to Sunday 2 October) - and giving local residents a taster of what culinary delights the area has to offer.

The event will include chef demonstrations, local food, and will encourage people to eat healthily and cook for themselves, as well as events for young people at CRMZ in Widnes and events held at Norton Priory.

Businesses such as the Holiday Inn Hotel, Runcorn, and Daresbury Dairies, as well as children's centres, nurseries and schools, will be joining in the foody fun as well as the Stobart Stadium and Halton's parks.

Events will be linked in with the 10th annual, National British Food Fortnight which celebrates the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces nationwide, with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in pubs/restaurants, food/cookery lessons in schools and glorious food festivals.

Halton Borough Council's Leader and Chair of Halton Strategic Partnership, Cllr Rob Polhill, said: "Lots of organisations are working together to focus on food and health for people all across Halton. Our events are about healthy choices, cookery skills and tasting new foods.

"At a time when supporting our local businesses is so important, I hope people will back their local food producers and retailers by buying locally."

Promotions within the scheme include New Shoots, where fresh, seasonal, and local produce is available for a lot cheaper than at the supermarkets.

Young Addaction will be running "TastyBitz" during the Foody Fortnight. The aim is to travel around the world bringing an array of healthy option dishes from five continents and get those taste buds going.

Big events include three free “Chefs on Stage” events at Halton’s markets, featuring Brian Mellor and surprise guests including a chef from Portugal and a finalist of the School Cook Of The Year. There will also be a range of other services on hand to talk to you about health and home safety.

• Thursday 22 September 2011 (Widnes Market) 10am to 3.30pm

• Friday 23 September 2011 (Widnes Market) 10am to 3.30pm

• Tuesday 27 September 2011 (Runcorn Street Market) 10am to 3.30pm

For more infofmation, visit www.halton.gov.uk/myhalton and updates will be available during the week at www.twitter.com/myhalton