Masterchef star and DJ BBQ to show off their skills at Essex Festival of Food and Drink

Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman will be showing off her culinary skills at the spring Essex Festival of Food and Drink.

The contestant from Hackney, who took the title in 2013 with a lobster tail starter and a ‘pimped’ roast pork belly served with a quail scotch egg, was part of the same series as the Indie’s food writer Saira, who was also a finalist.

New attractions at this year’s event include The Open Fire BBQ Stage, hosted by online hit Christian Stevenson, aka DJ BBQ.

He is a trailblazing barbecue cook and the experience encompasses food, fun and a lust for life at its core or as Christian likes to call it “Catertainment”.

With more than 250,000 followers, DJ BBQ is known to millions more through Clavering celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's Foodtube which has 2.7m subscribers.

There are plenty of free activities lined up for little foodies with cookery, science and craft classes and a glitter face painter will be on hand to transform the youngest guests.

For adults, there are cookery classes from Braxted Park Cookery School and talks and tastings from wine and beer experts.

The festival takes place at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, from 10am to 5pm.

Adult admission is £7 in advance and £9 on the gate. Children (aged six to 16) pay £4 in advance and £5 on the gate. Under-6s enter free. There are no additional charges for any kids or adult classes, chef demonstrations, talks and tastings but some classes must be pre-booked to reserve a place.

For more details or to book see www.essexfoodfestival.co.uk