Meet the TV Chefs Appearing at Seaham Food Festival 2026
Seaham Food Festival is delighted to announce an incredible line-up of TV chefs and culinary stars set to appear at this year’s festival, bringing world-class cooking, live demonstrations and unforgettable foodie experiences to the Durham coast. Visitors can look forward to appearances from award-winning chef and restaurateur Shelina Permalloo, celebrated pastry expert and Bake Off: The Professionals judge Cherish Finden, Saturday Kitchen host and bestselling author Matt Tebbutt, acclaimed Italian chef Francesco Mattana, master chocolatier Oli The Choc, renowned chef and broadcaster Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, and television presenter and food expert Chris Bavin.
From vibrant Mauritian flavours and authentic Italian cuisine to luxury pâtisserie, modern British cooking and spectacular chocolate artistry, this year’s chef programme promises something for every food lover. Across the weekend, audiences will have the chance to watch live cooking demonstrations, hear inspiring culinary stories and discover expert tips from some of the industry’s most exciting culinary personalities. With an atmosphere full of flavour, entertainment and family-friendly fun, Seaham Food Festival continues to establish itself as one of the North East’s must-visit culinary events.
OUR SPECTACULAR TV CHEF GUESTS
We have famous chefs and bakers from all over the UK
joining us, demonstrating their culinary delights.
Be the first to hear more about our announcements
Shelina
Peramaloo,
Chef & Restaurateur
Shelina Permalloo is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and television personality celebrated for bringing the vibrant flavours of Mauritian cuisine to the UK mainstream. Best known as the 2012 winner of BBC MasterChef, Shelina has built an impressive career defined by creativity, cultural storytelling and a passion for community through food.
Born and raised in Southampton to Mauritian parents, Shelina’s cooking is deeply inspired by her heritage, blending African, Indian, Chinese and European influences into bold, contemporary dishes. Following her MasterChef success, she published her acclaimed cookbook Sunshine on a Plate, which won the Gourmand Award for Best African Cookbook, followed by The Sunshine Diet.
Cherish Finden,
TV Chef & Judge on Bake Off: The Professionals
Cherish Finden is an internationally acclaimed pastry chef, author and television personality, best known as a judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals. Renowned for her exceptional craftsmanship, precision and artistic flair, Cherish has earned a global reputation as one of the most respected figures in the world of pâtisserie.
Born in Singapore, Cherish discovered her passion for pastry at an early age and trained under some of the industry’s most celebrated chefs before moving to London to further her career. Over the years, she has led pastry teams at several of the UK’s most prestigious luxury hotels, including The Langham, Pan Pacific London and The Berkeley, where she became known for creating exquisite desserts and award-winning afternoon teas.
Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL,
TV Chef & Restaurateur
Cyrus Todiwala’s is a chef, author, educationist and entrepreneur. He is Co-Patron of Café Spice Namaste and Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, and a restaurant of the same name Lincoln Plaza London, part of the Hilton Curio Collection, opening in January 2019.
Immigrating to London from Bombay with Pervin Todiwala in the early 1990’s with little more than a few suitcases, his culinary gifts and boundless energy ensured that their restaurant, Café Spice Namaste, helped reshape Britain’s then limited expectations of Indian cuisine, impressing the food cognoscenti and inspiring generations of Indian chefs. Today, Café Spice Namaste is the longest running Michelin BIB restaurant in the world.
Matt Tebbutt,
TV Chef & Author
Matt Tebbutt is a renowned chef, broadcaster and bestselling author, widely recognised as one of the UK’s most popular television food personalities. Best known as the host of BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, Matt has built a successful career combining classical culinary training with an approachable, down-to-earth style that has made him a favourite with audiences nationwide.
Originally trained at Leiths School of Food and Wine, Matt began his career working under some of the industry’s leading chefs before taking over and running the award-winning Foxhunter restaurant in Nant-y-Derry, Wales. His passion for seasonal produce, modern British cooking and relaxed entertaining quickly earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following.
Francesco
Mattana,
Italian Chef & Author
Francesco Mattana is an acclaimed Italian chef, author and culinary educator celebrated for his passion for authentic Italian cuisine and modern Mediterranean cooking. Originally from Sardinia, Francesco brings the rich traditions, flavours and hospitality of Italy to audiences around the world through his restaurants, writing and media appearances.
With a career spanning more than two decades, Francesco has worked in some of the UK’s most respected kitchens, earning recognition for his refined yet approachable style of cooking. Deeply inspired by his Sardinian roots, his food focuses on high-quality seasonal ingredients, simplicity and the importance of sharing meals as a cultural experience.
Oli The Choc,
Master
Chocolatier
Oli The Choc is an internationally recognised master chocolatier, pastry innovator and creative entrepreneur known for pushing the boundaries of modern chocolate artistry. With a distinctive style that blends technical precision, theatrical presentation and bold flavour combinations, Oli has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting contemporary chocolate talents.
Passionate about craftsmanship from an early age, Oli has spent years refining his expertise in fine chocolate work, specialising in handcrafted bonbons, showpieces, luxury desserts and immersive chocolate experiences. His creations are celebrated for their attention to detail, innovative techniques and striking visual design, earning admiration from both industry professionals and food lovers alike.
Chris Bavin,
TV Chef & Author
First discovered by a TV production company in 2011, Chris has gone from strength to strength and is co-presenter of BBC One’s popular series Eat Well for Less? alongside his new co-presenter Jordan Banjo.
In addition to the successful series, Chris has presented Tomorrow’s Food with Dara O’Brian, The Truth about Meat, and Food: Truth or Scare with Gloria Hunniford.
