FOODIES in Basingstoke are set to enjoy a feast as the two-day Eat Street event returns.

Shoppers will be able to soak up the smells, sounds and tastes of different culinary cuisines as Festival Place’s Porchester Square hosts live cooking demonstrations and free food samples from cuisines across the globe throughout the weekend of October 27 and 28.

TV chef Simon Rimmer and Celebrity Masterchef winner Lisa Faulkner will be the star attractions of this year’s event.

On the Saturday, 27 October Simon Rimmer, host of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and Daily Brunch will tantalise tastebuds by leading a live cooking demonstration.

Then on Sunday, 28 October, Lisa Faulkner, who triumphed in Celebrity Masterchef in 2010 and has since written three bestselling cookery books, will take visitors step-by-step through some of her favourite family-inspired recipes.

Neil Churchill, centre director at Festival Place, said: “Our Eat Street event is one of the highlights of the year at Festival Place and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. We’re delighted to be welcoming Simon Rimmer and Lisa Faulkner – two culinary experts who I know will be a hit with visitors.

“No matter what your favourite food is, there promises to be something for everyone at Eat Street. It’s the perfect opportunity to round off the half-term holiday with a real family day out while enjoying our range of stores, eateries and leisure destinations.”

As well as a wide range of food and beverage outlets from the shopping centre joining in the festivities, catering students from Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) will also be joining in the fun as they perform live cooking demonstrations and give out tasty treats to shoppers.

Principal at BCoT, Anthony Bravo, added: “The restaurant at BCoT is Basingstoke's best kept secret. Not only is it a great place to come and enjoy local fine dining at affordable prices, it supports our students’ learning and progress in the hospitality industry.

“If you haven’t experienced the restaurant before, come along and see us at Eat Street.”

Lucy Boazman, chief executive from Basingstoke Together, who are supporting the event, said: “Events such as Eat Street offer the public the opportunity to get involved with sampling new food and are so important in demonstrating what a thriving town Basingstoke is.”

Shoppers attending the event are also in with the chance to win a hamper full of goodies, worth £250.

To find out more about this year’s eat Street event visit: festivalplace.co.uk/eatstreet.