THIS year’s York Food Festival is expected to be the largest ever, with new opportunities for small producers and independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

The festival team have announced their plans for the main event from September 22 to October 1, with up to 170 individual providers set to be represented over the 10 days.

Celebrating its 21st year, it will feature a combined area for markets and street food covering Parliament St, St Sampson’s Square, the Shambles Market, Fossgate and the new Spark development on Piccadilly. A new Specialist Food Hub in St Sampson’s will allow small producer space at the weekends alongside the festival’s demonstration kitchen.

Festival director Michael Hjort said: “The festival is being transformed to allow more scope for quality small producers to take space at the two weekends. Parliament Street will continue to offer space for all 10 days to larger producers and those offering diverse street food.”

The demonstration area will double as a pop-up restaurant in the evening. Michael added: “The festival is encouraging community groups and independent York restaurants to take the challenge of using an innovative low cost space.”

Those wanting to take the traditional ten-day tenures need to apply immediately, before the June 18 deadline. But for the weekend only pitches - only the Saturdays in Fossgate - and for other events, promotions, trails, demonstrations the deadline is the end of July. For the first time the festival’s Ale Trial is running from now and culminates at the festival allowing residents all summer to complete the trail. Organisations or individuals wanting to participate in the programme should email admin@yorkfoodfestival.com, or phone 01904 635149.