From MICHELIN stars to Market stalls: Glynn Purnell brings big flavours to Accrington Food & Drink Festival

Get your forks ready and your taste buds primed - the Yummy Brummie is coming to town! That is right, Michelin Star chef Glynn Purnell will be live and cooking at the Accrington Food & Drink Festival on Saturday 7th June, and he is not coming empty-handed. With a menu that is part fine-dining, part comfort food and 100% delicious, Glynn is set to serve up two sizzling demos on the main stage, and trust us, this is one foodie event you will not want to miss.

For those who somehow have not heard of Glynn (where have you been?), he is a culinary powerhouse who started his journey as a teenage kitchen porter in Birmingham and went on to win the city's first-ever Michelin Star. These days, he is a regular on Saturday Kitchen, a two-time Great British Menu champion and the proud owner of two restaurants. But on June 7th, it is all eyes, and noses, on Accrington.

A traditional market town, Accrington's market stalls date back to the 19th century, and continue to host a wide array of traders offering fresh, locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses and baked goods. Shoppers can find everything from Lancashire black pudding and traditional meat pies to seasonal fruits and vegetables straight from nearby farms. The atmosphere is warm and familiar, with stallholders often serving the same families for generations.

It is that rich cultural and gastronomic heritage which has attracted star chef, Glynn, to the town this June.

So, what is he cooking?

First up: Roast pork chop with salsa verde, crispy aubergines & truffle honey.

Let us take a moment to appreciate this dish. We are talking about a thick, juicy pork chop - roasted to perfection so it is tender inside, with that gorgeous golden crust on the outside. Then there is salsa verde, the zippy, herby Italian green sauce that is packed with parsley, capers, garlic, lemon… it is fresh, it is punchy, it cuts through the richness like a dream.

And just when you think it cannot get any better - in come the crispy aubergines, light and golden, bringing crunch and texture to every bite. And yes, truffle honey. Sweet, sticky and just fancy enough to make you feel like you are in a five-star restaurant. It is classic Glynn - comforting, clever and bursting with flavour.

Next up: Prawn toast with plums & chilli.

Now, this is not the greasy prawn toast you pick up with your Friday-night takeaway. This is prawn toast, elevated. Glynn's version layers finely minced prawns on crisp bread, fried just right and then topped with a tangy, spicy, sticky plum and chilli sauce that will have you going back for seconds (and maybe thirds).

It is sweet, spicy, savoury and a little bit cheeky - much like the chef himself.

"I love taking classic flavours and turning them into something a bit unexpected," says Glynn. "Accrington Food & Drink Festival is going to be a great day - I'm looking forward to cooking some cracking dishes, meeting the crowd, and having a bit of fun. This kind of event is what food is all about, bringing people together and sharing something delicious."

And that is really what Glynn does best. He is not just a Michelin-starred chef - he is a storyteller, using food as his language. Whether he is cooking on telly, plating up at his restaurants, or showing off his skills at a food festival, his passion and personality shine through every bite.

But Glynn is not the only reason to head down to the Accrington Food & Drink Festival, which is this year being sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council and North Lancs Training Group. To mark the 80^th anniversary of VE/VJ Day and the 81^st anniversary of D-Day, there will be special commemorations including the flypast of a Douglas C47 Dakota and a war re-enactment.

The whole town will be buzzing with street food stalls, local producers, entertainment for the kids and more food than you can shake a skewer at.  Still, it is safe to say Glynn is the cherry on top of an already very tasty cake.

So clear your diary, skip breakfast and head into town hungry on Saturday 7th June. Whether you are there to pick up artisan cheese, try something new, or just watch a top chef work his magic live on stage, the Accrington Food & Drink Festival is shaping up to be an unmissable day out.

Who knows - maybe you will even go home and try whipping up some truffle honey pork chops of your own.