With award-winning TV chefs, a special comedy club and a line-up of live music, Kent’s first big food festival of the year is set to go off with a bang - six months later than planned.

The Medway Food and Drink Festival will finally welcome hungry visitors to the grounds of Rochester Castle after the original dates, in September 2022, were postponed in the wake of the Queen's death.

The festival will now take place from Friday, March 31 March to Sunday, April 2. Adult tickets start from £5 when booked online here. Tickets can also be purchased on the gate.

The family-friendly festival will include a live cooking demonstration in the kitchen theatre from MasterChef quarter-finalist Samuel McClurkin, head chef at the Tyler's Kiln in Canterbury and former head chef at The Dog at Wingham.

There will also be talks and demonstrations by culinary experts, including The Pumproom at Copper Rivet Distillery head chef Will Freeman and Smart Wellness coach Dr Julia Jones.

Visitors can also sample bites from a large selection of food and drink stands serving cuisines such as Greek, Mexican and Thai-Chinese fusion and dishes including jerk chicken and Kentish hog roast.

Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy treats such as handmade chocolate and traditional fudge, and to wash it all down there will be plenty of drinks including artisan spirits, milkshakes, bubble tea and barista-style coffee.

While treating their taste buds, visitors can also listen to toe-tapping music from funk, soul and rock 'n' roll band M T Pockets and local covers band Marylebone Jelly.

With a dedicated children’s area, magician and interactive family entertainment, there will be plenty to keep kids busy while the parents are chowing down.

If you fancy a child-free evening, there are also two exclusive adult-only events taking place alongside the food festival.

On Friday and Saturday evening, from 7pm to 9pm, visitors aged 18 and over can take their seats at a comedy night, hosted by MC Mat Wills, with a different line-up of comedians appearing each evening.

The live comedy events are ticketed separately. Tickets must be booked in advance from Zoom Events.