Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has said he wants to return to Caerphilly and recreate medieval dishes at the town’s castle.
The chef revealed his culinary dream at the Caerphilly Food Festival, held on Saturday, and also praised the quality of Welsh produce.
Mr Novelli, who was holding a series of cooking demonstrations, told Caerphilly Observer: “I will definitely come back with my family and I want to go inside the castle and try and recreate what people did there during that time.”
He added: “When you come to Wales, you are guaranteed great produce – fantastic produce, and not just lamb. You have a wonderful town with a castle in the middle of it.”
It was the second year Caerphilly had hosted a food festival and despite the weather not being the greatest on Saturday, thousands still attended to taste a range of quality food.
Caerphilly resident Jen Evans, 35, a Cardiff University worker, said: “There’s just too much food and so much choice. I want to have something that’s special, but it’s all special.
“I’m going to a Jean-Christophe Novelli demonstration to have a look at his Michelin stars and get some ideas to inspire my own cooking for a nice dinner.”
Blackwood couple Greg Batty, 28, and Carla Holton, 28, were visiting the food festival for the first time.
Greg, a medical laboratory assistant, said: “There is plenty to see here and we’ve had a lovely look around.”
Cllr Keith Reynolds, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said it was another “excellent day” for Caerphilly.
He said: “It is obvious to see with the thousands of people who have turned out today.”
@richardgurner @visitcaerphilly Glad you enjoyed it so much. As a trader, it was a huge success. Better even than last year.
— Caerphilly Preserves (@CaerphillyPrsrv) May 4, 2013
> A thumbs up from our editor for Caerphilly Food Festival @shopcastlecourt @visitcaerphilly #happyshopping twitter.com/youth4u1/statu…
— Youth4u (@youth4u1) May 4, 2013