TELEVISION chef and writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will appear at this year’s Abergavenny Food Festival.

The chef will speak about his new wheat and dairy free book River Cottage Light and Easy: Healthy Recipes for Every Day on the eve of the festival at the Borough Theatre.

He will appear in conversation with award-winning journalist, Joanna Blythman and discuss why eating a dairy and wheat free diet is increasingly popular in the UK.

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall is widely known both as a chef and also as a writer, broadcaster and campaigner for his uncompromising commitment to real food.

His series for Channel 4 has earned him a huge popular following, while his River Cottage books have collected multiple awards.

He will be in conversation with Ms Blythman at the Borough Theatre at 7.30pm on September 19.

Last year the Abergavenny Food Festival was awarded the accolade of Best Event in Wales 2013 in the National Tourism Awards.

Festival communications manager, Cathy Green, said: “The award was a great endorsement of the hard work put in by the core team, board and numerous individuals and organisations in the local community.

“Yes, the bar has been set high for 2014 but we are committed to delivering a brilliant weekend.

“New initiatives include our first ever Night Market and Artisan Kitchen School; and we’ve more than 40 guest performers who now have Abergavenny as a firm date in the diaries for a weekend of fun and feasting. We’re delighted to announce that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is first off the block on the Friday night.”

Tickets cost £12 from abergavennyfoodfestival.com or through the Borough Theatre on 01873 850805.

The festival takes place between September 20 and 21.

The box office goes live on July 16. For more details visit abergavennyfoodfestival.com