One of the stars of the Great British Bake Off is set to make an appearance at Taste Cumbria Christmas.
Crystelle Pereira will appear on the festival’s demo stage on Saturday 9 December at 1pm and will later be signing copies of her debut book, My Flavour Kitchen, for cookery fans from 2pm.
The star was runner up on the 2021 series of Bake Off – and judges raved about her dishes while she was on the show.
The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and Councillor Anne Quilter, executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome Crystelle and Helen to the Taste Cumbria Demo Stage – and I can’t wait to see what they’ll be cooking.
“This is shaping up to be another fabulous festival showcasing the very best culinary talent, alongside loads of Christmas shopping and entertainment. Come and join the fun!”
Born in North London to Kenyan-born, Portuguese-Goan parents, she is also an accomplished baker and in 2021, Vanity Fair named Crystelle as one of their top performers, alongside a whole host of Hollywood stars.
With her quick wit, she’s also a popular guest on the likes of ITV’s Lorraine and in the US on Good Morning America and The Today Show.
Crystelle will share the festival stage with Cumbrian author Helen Rebanks, whose first book The Farmer’s Wife: My Life in Days was published in August.
She farms at Matterdale near Ullswater with her husband James, known on Twitter as Herdy Shepherd. Helen will be on the Demo Stage on Sunday 10 December at noon.
Both book signings will take place after demos in The New Bookshop, Main Street.
The Taste Cumbria Demo Stage will move to Market Place for this festival while Cocker Bridge is closed to traffic. This will also be the location for the hot food court, fairground rides and family fun.
The east end of Main Street, next to Cocker Bridge, will host lots of producers’ stalls, street theatre and live music.
The rest of Main Street will remain open to traffic, and Station Street will run one-way as usual. Vehicle access will still be in place down Castlegate to Bitterbeck car park, and along St Helens Street and Kirkgate.
This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is organised by Cumberland Council, sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Holmen Iggesund and Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade.
