Record crowds turned out for the ninth Devizes Food & Drink Festival on Saturday to enjoy the fantastic range of foods on offer as well as the cooking demonstrations.

Many stallholders reported a bumper day, selling out their cakes and street food.

A big attraction for children was the animals accompanying the main sponsor Walter Rose and Son’s marquee, which held butchery demonstrations and a range of its suppliers’ stalls.

Particularly popular was the demonstration by leading UK food writer, Daily Telegraph columnist Xanthe Clay.

She packed the Corn Exchange with an audience of more than 100 people for her demonstration, where she was assisted by her mother, Rosanagh Evans, who lives in the town, and other members of her family.

She also drew the tickets for the raffle in aid of the Devizes Mayor’s charities.

The first prize of a Walter Rose and Son luxury hamper went to Louise Gibbs of Devizes. All the stallholders contributed a sample of their produce to the raffle’s ten prizes.

Earlier in the day, former Lavington School pupil Darren Comer stepped in to cook for Chris Staines from Bath’s Allium Brasserie, who was unable to attend.

Mr Comer worked with Mr Staines in Surrey when the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. When Mr Staines moved to Bath to set up his own restaurant, he asked Mr Comer to join him as his sous chef.

The third demonstration was by Michelin-starred chef Joseph Croan, who has worked in top London restaurants and moved two years ago to Dyson as executive chef to lead a team of 15 staff and cater for more than 1,900 employees.

The festival had been officially opened the previous evening by the new Mayor of Devizes, Coun Pete Smith, at a cocktail evening in the town hall attended by 70 people.

A Dundee cake competition in the Corn Exchange was well supported. It was judged by representatives from the Women’s Institute and the winners were: 1 Zita de Lancey; 2 Margaret Green; 3 Kevin Comer.

The fairy cakes competition for children aged 7-12 years was just as popular and the winners were: 1 Ella Beale; 2 Iona Bayley; 3 Eve Williams. In the section for children aged six and under, the Heathcote House Nursery romped home with its Rainbows entry coming first and its Stars second, while third went to the Rising Stars.

Details of all the remaining events can be found at www. devizesfoodanddrinkfestival.info Tickets for events can be obtained from Devizes Books in Sidmouth Street, Devizes.