Jack Stein and Ross Geach to launch virtual food festival on Monday

Jack Stein, chef director at Rick Stein restaurants, and Ross Geach of Padstow Kitchen Garden have launched a virtual food festival to run on Easter Monday with headline chefs including Rick Stein, Angela Hartnett, Mitch Tonks, José Pizzaro, Ross Geach, Jack Stein and Rick Stein.

The festival will showcase and support local farmers, fishermen and food suppliers, who have lost valuable trade with the enforced restaurant closures but are still able to support those in the community and further afield with food deliveries to homes.

Each chef will present a live 20-minute demo, from wherever they are in the country - and in Rick Stein's case, from Australia . A chef will take to the screen every hour throughout the day, showcasing an ingredient and a supplier. The demos will be hosted by River Cottage’s Steve Lamb.

The idea for the festival was conceived by Geach after receiving a number of cancellations to attend festivals in person and wanted to find a way to bring the food festival atmosphere to peoples’ homes as well as showcasing local food suppliers.

Speaking to The Caterer Jack Stein said he will be cooking a dish using a cut of meat from local Cornish butcher Philip Warren. "These guys are still out there and still selling amazing restaurant-quality produce," Stein said.

Ross Geach added: “I can’t believe that an idea I came up with less than a week ago, to help support local suppliers such as farmers and fishermen who need to find a way to sell directly to the public, is happening with the help of friends, Jack and the Stein team. Hopefully we can promote businesses, help people learn how to cook and have some fun along the way.”

The festival will be streamed live on the @ricksteinrestaurants Instagram channel, with Rick Stein opening the festival at 10am on Monday 13 April. Virtual festival goers are invited to make a donation to the National Emergency Trust charity.