Nadiya Hussain, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry are the star TV chefs lined up to share their culinary expertise at this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair (31 August-2 September).

Along with an exciting mix of young and established chefs from Derbyshire, Sheffield and Yorkshire showcasing their expertise across the three days, the trio will be a huge draw for the thousands of visitors who flock each year to what is one of England’s most spectacular annual outdoor events.

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Nadiya Hussain kicks things off on Friday (31 August) with three demos followed by a book signing. Born in Luton to a Bangladeshi family, Nadiya has been baking for just over 10 years and now lives in Milton Keynes with her husband and their three children. With desserts not a common feature in Bangladeshi cuisine, it was up to a home economics teacher to encourage Nadiya to develop her skills as a baker. Now as an established TV presenter and author and with her latest book and series, Nadiya’s Family Favourites out now, it will be a treat to welcome her to Chatsworth Country Fair for the very first time.
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One of the country’s best loved cookery writers and television presenters, Mary Berry takes centre stage on Saturday (1 September) for her sixth return visit with two demos and book signings. It will be a full house in the theatre as she shares her cookery secrets during her morning and afternoon slots.  A Chatsworth Country Fair regular, Mary has also kindly agreed to be the President this year following in the footsteps of other notable names including Countryfile’s Adam Henson; Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill; Gardener Alan Titchmarsh and last year’s ex boyband star turned farmer JB Gill.

Mary Berry said: “I am delighted to return to the wonderful Chatsworth Country Fair. It is an amazing day out for all the family in a magnificent setting. There are a miscellany of spectacular events and demonstrations, brilliant trade stands and plenty of activities and experiences for the young. Get there early to enjoy a full day!”

Fair organiser Sarah Green said: “We’re so delighted Mary has agreed to be our President this year. She has been a fantastic supporter for many years now and has certainly been taken to the hearts of the visitors who pack out the theatre to see her deliver her pearls of culinary wisdom every time.”

Closing out proceedings on Sunday (2 September) will be Paul Hollywood.  With his cheeky line in patter, Paul will be sure to both inform and entertain on what will be his third return visit to the fair. The son of a baker, Paul Hollywood originally trained as a sculptor before his father persuaded him to join the family business. He has gone on to become one of the country’s finest and well-known artisan bakers.

Once again, the pick of the region’s talented chefs have been invited to take part in the line-up which runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day in the Stoves Cookery Theatre equipped with TV screens, PA and seating.

The tasty lineup includes local lad and Rowley’s head chef Adam Harper from Baslow; Tim Sidaway, a chef who has spent over a decade promoting, growing and rearing local food, with restaurants Terroir Bistro in Derby and The Fishermans Rest in Belper; Eva Humphries, aka the Wholefood Warrior, a nutritionist and supporter of fad-free food based in Nottingham; Yorkshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate Burlington Restaurant chef Paul Leonard; Lee Mangles from Sheffield ably compered by former Silversmiths restaurant owner Justin Rowntree.

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Two of the chefs may well also be familiar to Sheffield residents. Yorkshire born Natasha Farrell has drawn on her Caribbean roots to run street food outfits around the world and is now setting up a new venue in Sheffield that will showcase her contemporary West Indian cuisine.

Chef Chris Hanson has always had a passion to help disadvantaged communities in Sheffield and has now opened Blend Kitchen, a social enterprise in the city centre with a vision to use cuisine and hospitality to enhance people’s lives. At Chatsworth, he will be showcasing vegan dishes reflective of Blend’s cultural diversity.

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The Fine Food Village will be bigger and better than ever this year in its new location in front of the fully restored Chatsworth House. Packed with more than 100 stalls bursting with food to enjoy on the day as well as produce to take home, it is once again a foodie’s paradise.

Highlights announced for this year for the fair include JCB’s Dancing Diggers; The Household Cavalry Musical Ride plus aerobatic entertainment; hot air balloon lifts; have-a-go country sports and crafts plus lots more to see and do around the beautiful parkland located on the banks of the river Derwent.
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There is plenty to appeal to children of all ages, from joining the Children’s March Past or the family fun dog show, to wearing them out with the zip wire, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, bumper cars, vintage fairground and the chance to get up close to exotic animals.

There are a number of accessible toilets around the showground as well as an attended Mobiloo, and a limited number of blue badge car parking spaces at the front of each car park.

Super advance tickets are available until 30 June with a 20 percent discount. On the gate prices for adults are £25 each day and includes parking while children 14 and under go free. Check the website for full details of offers and ticket prices including members’ packages.

Chatsworth is only 16 miles from the M1, 10 miles from Chesterfield, and 8 miles north of Matlock, in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park and is well served by transport links throughout the UK.

Gates open at 9am each day, with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. For more information on the event and to book tickets, please visit www.chatsworth.org/countryfair