TWO festival organisers are now in competition to cook up the best weekend for foodies in Wallingford.

The organiser of Wallingford Food Festival, held for five years at Bridge Villa Camping and Caravan Park in Crowmarsh Gifford, cancelled this year's event to take a break.

Paul Bellchambers, who also runs catering organisation The Late Chef, promised there would be a mouthwatering show next year.

But now another company has stepped in to set up its own food festival on the same site.

The publishers of Round & About magazine have decided to stage their family feast, called the SO Food Festival, on September 17 and 18.

They have even asked previous exhibitors at Wallingford Food Festival to join their event.

Spokesman Chris Savage said: "When we heard that the Wallingford Food Festival was no more we felt that there was still plenty of support for an event like that in the area.

"We got in touch with a number of the previous exhibitors, the venue itself and chefs and decided it was a challenge we wanted to take on.

"We didn't want to upset Paul so we haven't used the name Wallingford Food Festival but we have a number of sponsors signed up already to support the event and we are in discussions with some other great businesses and chefs.

"We were very pleased that Paul Clerehugh, of the Crooked Billet in Stoke Row, put his name down and we hope to have him cooking over the weekend."

East Hanney preserve maker Jeanette Howse, who sells her jams at Wallingford Food Festival said she would be surprised if Wallingford could sustain both festivals.

She said: "I think it's a bit late to start organising a food festival for September, I can't go because I am already booked to go to another event.

"Round & About can promote the festival through their magazine, but I would be surprised if Wallingford can support two food festivals in the long term."

Mr Bellchambers assured the Herald he still planned to return next year and added: "There are no hard feelings - this isn't a food festival fight or battle."

His two-day food festival proved popular each May and grew to attract more than 5,000 people.

In 2014 it won silver in the Tourism South East’s Beautiful South Awards, in the category Tourism Event of the Year.

Mr Bellchambers said: "Chris phoned me to explain what was happening and I was fine with it.

"September is a slightly crowded time of year for festivals – the SO Food Festival will happen shortly after BunkFest.

"This won't put me off coming back in May - we are in discussions with a third party who is very keen to move forward.

"I think ultimately this is good news for Wallingford because when the food festival is on it boosts footfall in the town."