Pub in the Park festival

The Pub in the Park festival returns to Cheshire this June, with a line-up of top chefs who’ll be rustling up the best of British pub food accompanied by some big names from the world of music and of course a number of pop-up pubs.

The Lambing Shed in Knutsford is the venue for the event which is being held between June 7 and 9.

Headline acts this year include Will Young, Texas, Soul II Soul, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Cast, The Bluetones, and Craig Charles.

The festival also features six chefs (with a few local faces) who’ll be demonstrating their culinary skills in live cookery demonstrations.

Richard Williams, head chef at Mobberley’s The Church Inn, will be cooking up lamb croquettes, crispy chicken wings, and a seafood pot with smoked Cheshire cheese gratin.

He’ll be joined by Andrew Greenhouse from The Cholmondeley Arms in Malpas, with beer-fried chicken, Earl Grey-infused chickpea and spinach curry, and slow-braised Cheshire rabbit risotto.

The Freemasons at Wiswell will be represented by Steve Smith, with gourmet hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and poached salmon from the River Lune.

Completing the chef line-up will be Andrew Pern from Michelin-starred The Star Inn in Harome, and Stephen Terry from The Hardwick in Abergavenny.

As well as the gastro pub pop-ups, there’s an artisan market stocking local produce – from chocolates to cheese to booze.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals will headline the opening night of the festival on Friday June 7, alongside Cast and Polar States.

The Saturday afternoon session will be headlined by Soul II Soul and Rob Green, plus an additional act yet to be confirmed.

Texas head the bill for Saturday night, with Stereo MCs and The Fine Lines performing earlier in the evening.

Closing proceedings on Sunday June 9 will be Will Young, The Bluetones, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, and Natalie Williams and the Soul Family.

Tom Kerridge said: “Knutsford gave us such a warm welcome last year and we cannot wait to return to Cheshire this year and bring the same brilliant standard of food, class chefs, ace music and awesome vibe as last year.

“The dishes being showcased this year are as rich in variety as the chefs making them.

“With various inventive vegetarian dishes available, as well as a diverse meat selection dishes being freshly prepared in front of a live audience.”

Pub in the Park will take place at The Lambing Shed in Knutsford, Cheshire, between June 7 and 9. Get tickets and find out more at pubintheparkuk.com/knutsford .