Headlining chefs at this year's Porthleven Food Festival have been revealed as the countdown begins to the biggest event on the port's calendar.

Among the names cooking live will be Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleston, from the Pony & Trap in Bristol, along with Jude Kereama from Porthleven's own Kota and Kota Kai restaurants. The pair competed against each other in the south west heats of this year's Great British Menu on BBC2 and are ready to repeat their friendly rivalry in the Chef's Theatre.

Another series alumni, Simon Hulstone of the Michelin-starred The Elephant in Torquay, will also be giving a demonstration over the course of the Saturday, traditionally the busiest day of the three-day event that this year takes place from April 21 to 23.

Other big names include festival patron Antony Worrall Thompson and Jack Stein, together with Simon Allot, head chef at Rick Stein’s Porthleven restaurant.

Local well-known names include Guy Owen, (Idle Rocks at St Mawes), Nik Boyle (The Victoria at Perranuthnoe) and Ben Prior, whose Marazion restaurant Ben’s Cornish Kitchen was voted best restaurant at this year’s Trencherman’s Awards.

Festival chair David Turnbull said: “The Chef’s Theatre is one of the main attractions of the weekend so we’re delighted that once again the Saturday line-up on offer showcases some of the finest chef talent from Cornwall and beyond. This year we’ll also have a programme of chef’s demonstrations alongside our Sunday bake-off competition and the popular Local Chef’s Cooking Stage on Festival Saturday hosted by Amelies.”

The Chef’s Theatre is hosted by BBC Radio Cornwall presenters and starts at 10am on Saturday. Audience members can often take part in the demonstrations by asking questions and sampling the cooking.