COOKERY demonstrations by celebrity chefs including Bake Off contestant Christine Wallace attracted crowds of foodies.

The first SO Food Festival took place at the weekend at the Bridge Villa Camping and Caravan Park at Crowmarsh Gifford.

Publishers of Round and About magazine stepped in to run the festival when chef Paul Bellchambers, organiser of the Wallingford Food Festival, decided to take a year out.

Christine Wallace, from Didcot, a contestant on The Great British Bake Off, said the festival was "well organised and very cosy".

She added: "It was one of the nicest I have ever done.

"The weather was a bit gloomy on Saturday but the sun came out on Sunday and lots of people came over to talk to me about the decision to move The Great British Bake Off to Channel 4.

"There weren't many people who were in favour – almost everyone I spoke to thought it should stay on the BBC."

Mrs Wallace, who was helped with some of her demonstrations by jam-maker Jeanette Howse, said visitors watched while she made sweet violet macarons.

She added: "They are tiny little meringue shells filled with butter cream and violet flavouring.

"I also talked about how some flowers – primroses and daisies – could be preserved and crystallised in sugar."

Round and About managing director Chris Savage said: "The people of Wallingford came out and supported the festival, which was great.

"It did rain on Saturday morning but on Sunday the weather was good and the crowds poured in. We must have had more than 1,500 people there over the whole weekend.

"Visitors really enjoyed the mix of music and food and the food demonstrations were excellent."

Staff at the magazine are now considering whether to stage the festival again next year. Mr Bellchambers said earlier that he would also consider bringing back his own festival.

Other chefs appearing at the weekend included Paul Clerehugh from The Crooked Billet, Nick Bennett from Restaurant 56 in Faringdon – and a finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals – and Angie Johnson, also known as Mrs Bun the Baker.

Producers and traders brought beer, cider, Thai food, ice cream, Italian food, sausages and pies.

Entertainment included a Punch and Judy show and performances from Oxford Cherwell Brass Band.

The festival supported Oxfordshire’s Explorer Scouts and their Kenyan charity trip next year with The Nasio Trust.