THE sun shone down on thousands of foodies as they gathered at the second SO Food Festival near Wallingford.

More than 2,800 people visited the festival at Bridge Villa Camping and Caravan Park in Crowmarsh Gifford at the weekend.

There has been a food festival at the site for the past seven years but the owners of Round & About magazine took over last year.

Publisher Chris Savage said he was delighted that the sun came out for almost the whole weekend.

He added: "The weather was fine and that did 90 per cent of the job – the skies darkened about 5pm on Sunday but by that point people were starting to think about heading home.

"We got about 2,800 people along and the intention is to be back next year when we will aim for an attendance of 3,800.

"There were lots of families out and about – the children enjoyed the Punch and Judy – and all the food demonstrations were well attended.

"Christine Wallace of Great British Bake Off fame was very well supported and ended up signing autographs."

Mr Savage added that lots of traders with stalls at the fair ended up selling out.

This year’s festival had a greater number of stalls than last year, with more retail stands offering ingredients and kitchenware.

Shaun Dickens from The Boathouse in Henley was among the top chefs at the festival

He has worked closely with Raymond Blanc, Thomas Keller and Alan Murchison.

Andrew Scott, executive head chef of Restaurant 56 in Faringdon also drew a crowd, together with Tom Clarke, head chef of Michelin-starred L’Ortolan in Reading.

Mr Clarke previously worked at 1 Lombard Street in London and double AA Rosette winner Le Talbooth in Colchester, Essex, before moving to Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons restaurant in Great Milton.

Mrs Bun The Baker – former Wallingford School teacher Angie Johnson –gave a cookery class for junior chefs on Sunday.

Mr Savage added: "I think we took a big step forward this year and we have every intention of returning next year."