YORK’S Food and Drink festival got underway this weekend - with a range of products and live entertainment on display.

The festival, which began on Friday and runs until September 26, allows businesses from the city and surrounding areas to show off their products and promote themselves.

Crowds gathered in their thousands over the course of the weekend to see what was on offer, as well as take part in the activities on offer and watch demonstrations from some top chefs.

The event is based at sites across the city, including Parliament Street, St. Sampson’s Square, Coppergate Centre and Museum Gardens, with more than 80 stalls on display.

As well as purchasing, there are a number of activities available each day including smoking your own food, making pasta, bread, butter, chocolate lollipops, biscuits and ice-cream.

York Minster hosted the Gin and Rum Festival on Saturday afternoon - giving visitors the chance to enjoy a few drinks from over 60 “top-class” local companies including York Gin and No Spikes Liqueurs, along with some live entertainment.

Little Vikings also hosted a range of kids activities in St Sampson’s Square from 10am until noon.

Live For St Leonard’s is being held as part of this year’s festival - and features live performances from musicians based in York and the surrounding area, including Jonny & the Dunebugs, White Sail and The Y Street Band.

As part of the line-up of celebrity chefs, Masterchef Professionals finalist Jono Hawthorne made his festival debut in the demonstration tent on Saturday from between 12 - 1pm, as well as demo’s from Great British Menu’s Steph Moon and York’s own Neil Bentinck from Skosh.

Further information can be found on the festival website at: www.yorkfoodfestival.com