Rick and Jack Stein round up chefs for virtual food festival this Sunday

Following the success of their inaugural virtual food festival earlier this month, Rick and Jack Stein have rounded up top chefs, including Mark Hix, Gizzi Erskine and Nathan Outlaw, to take part in a follow-up live event this Sunday.

The aim of the initiative, which is now supported by Crowdfunder and includes virtual fringe events, is to support wholesale suppliers affected by restaurant closures by showcasing fresh produce in cookery demonstrations. The event this Sunday, which kicks off at 9am from Rick Stein's kitchen in Sydney, will run demos on the hour throughout the day and will be live-streamed on YouTube.

River Cottage author and presenter Steven Lamb will host this Sunday's event and as well as chefs, the festival will include conversations with farmers and fishermen across the UK, and food historian Dr Polly Russell.

Jack Stein, chef director at Rick Stein restaurants, said: “We’re so grateful to these amazing chefs for getting involved and supporting our initiative. Our aim is simple, we want to showcase the wonderful food and drink we’d usually use in our restaurants that is now available for consumers to enjoy straight from the suppliers.”

The event will be raising money for the National Emergencies Trust Appeal and St Petroc's Society in Cornwall.

For £2 a ticket, virtual food festival-goers can upgrade to speak with the chefs on the stream, with all monies raised from ticket sales being donated to St Petroc's Society. The first virtual food festival organised by the Steins ran via Instagram Live on Easter Monday and offered recipes, tips and inspiration from chefs including Angela Hartnett and José Pizzaro.