Cookery class from the Hairy Bikers (From This is Hampshire)

Cookery class from the Hairy Bikers

11:00am Sunday 19th July 2009 in

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SHOPPERS in Basingstoke got a free cookery masterclass from a couple of celebrity chefs when TV’s Hairy Bikers rolled into town.

The Hairy Bikers, otherwise known as Simon King and Dave Myers, held four cooking demonstrations in Festival Place and signed copies of their latest book, the Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, as part of the Hampshire Food Festival.

Crowds of people gathered around as the northern duo cooked dishes such as buffalo cheeseburgers, Polish potato cakes and strawberry shrikhand – a yoghurt-based dessert topped with almonds.

The Hairy Bikers said they were impressed with Basingstoke on what was their first visit to the town.

Mr King said: “The crowds were fabulous. Shows like ours are a good opportunity to put some soul into new buildings.

“We have been to Hampshire before and there are some fantastic chefs and restaurants here.”

Visitors were also able to browse and buy produce at a stall run by Laverstoke Park Farm. Staff from the farm, near Overton, run by former motor racing star Jody Scheckter, also brought Petal the Buffalo for kids and adults to look at.

The visit was part of the Festival Place Food Event, which started on July 9 and ended on Sunday and forms part of the Hampshire Food Festival.

Highlights included a paella and sangria bar in Festival Square, and an ice cream-eating competition, where participants tried to wolf down as much ice cream as possible in 30 seconds under the watchful eye of a Guinness World Record adjudicator.

Dave Hudson, 42, from Reading, ate the most, gobbling 220 grams within the time limit, but missed out on the record, which stands at 382 grams.