The Evening Press is to host a very special celebration to mark the success of the Eat Local campaign.

This summer we will host an Eat Local Banquet in conjunction with Dean Court Hotel in York, to bring the best of the region's food straight to your plates.

Producers nominated for the prestigious competition will be invited to showcase their food at the event and have their products included in the menu.

The exclusive invitation to contribute will ensure the banquet captures the taste of the Eat Local competition.

Our hosts at Dean Court Hotel in Duncombe Place, part of the Great Western group, are also very excited to be involved in the event on Thursday, May 15, 2003.

Hotel manager David Brooks said: "I'm thrilled the plan we have agreed fits in so well with the campaign and I am looking forward to a great evening.

"I am also delighted that the Press are sharing my excitement about what a showcase dinner it can be for local suppliers."

Mr Brooks ran a similar event to showcase suppliers in Suffolk several years ago, and is now looking forward to giving suppliers new opportunities in York.

He said: "It gives them the chance to be involved, the chance to see their food delivered right to the plate, and I am sure the evening will be a tremendous flagship for the whole campaign."

But it is not only producers who are given the chance to become involved in our competition celebration.

The invitation is also to be cast open to our readers to come along and tuck in to the top quality fare on offer at this exciting new event.

So if you fancy a taste of the best our region can offer, while rubbing shoulders with the top producers and officials in Yorkshire food, look out for more details in the Evening Press.