AN ANNUAL treat for food lovers kicks off with a Taster Festival in York city centre this weekend.

St Sampson’s Square will see food demonstrations, hands on workshops, speciality tastings and the Festival Bars all on offer as part of York Food and Drink Festival.

Meanwhile, Parliament Street will be the place to shop for quality regional produce.

The market will feature artisan products from the North of England, including smoked venison, sausages, salamis and chorizo. Cheeses on offer include Yorkshire’s first halloumi.

The Taster event also sees the launch of the Festival’s new Ale Trial that runs from June 10 until the end the main Food Festival in September.

The Festival is widening participation this year to include a couple of new venues that are not strictly pubs, but stock locally brewed real ale.

Michael Edmondson from Walmgate Ale House will be running the bar at both Festivals.