THE York Festival of Food & Drink got off to a right royal start today when Berwick Kaler opened proceedings dressed as Queen Victoria.

York's favourite pantomime dame fired up the Food Theatre stove, in St Sampson's Square, for a cookery lesson with David Brooks, manager of the Dean Court Hotel.

Berwick was the first person to sample the official festival ale before conducting a "royal" walkabout among the stalls of the deliciouslyorkshire market in Parliament Street and the Coppergate Centre.

The market, one of many during the ten-day festival, showcases local produce from members of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Food Group.

It will be running from today until Sunday, between 9am and 5pm, with a further appearance in the Coppergate Centre, on Monday.

The National Farmers' Union Roadshow was in Parliament Street with a host of fun activities to teach children about food and farming.

Today's events were sponsored by the Evening Press and the Food Theatre, which is the focus of this annual culinary celebration, boasted a packed line-up. Visitors enjoyed the opening round of the sixth Inter-School Cookery Challenge, plus demonstrations by chefs from award-winning restaurant, Rish, and David Box, of York College.

Tonight, the Food Theatre will host a ticket-only launch party with a buffet of deliciouslyorkshire produce while wine fans can enjoy Rioja tasting at St William's College, priced £10.

The festival is in its eighth year, and more than 150,000 visitors are expected to take part in a menu of demonstrations, tastings, competitions and dinners during the ten-day festival.

Twenty-three of York's best restaurants are offering special lunch or dinner meal deals during the ten days while 14 traditional watering holes are taking part in the Festival Ale Trail.

Attractions tomorrow include the first round of the York Hospitality Association's Young Chefs' Competition, a cookery demonstration by four local vicars and Champagne tasting at Betty's Tea Room, with television personality Charles Metcalfe.

The York Festival of Food & Drink runs until September 19 and is organised jointly by City of York Council, First Stop York, York Hospitality Association, York Tourism Bureau and the Yorkshire Tourist Board.

To book tickets, or for more information about events, visit the official website www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com or phone 08706 021113.

Updated: 10:23 Friday, September 10, 2004