JAMES Martin and Rachel Allen are two of the high profile names who will headline the food and drink pavilion at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival next month.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival will this year feature a greatly enhanced festival of food, with a grand pavilion bursting with artisan food and drink from across the world plus a star studded line up of high profile chefs.

TV chef James Martin headline the food festival with demonstrations and talks throughout the weekend, and Rachel Allen will also be taking to the cookery theatre stage to entertain food lovers.

James Martin said: “No one can underestimate the links between food and gardening. If you love good food, the chances are you are pretty into where it has come from. The journey from field to plate is so often talked about in the media – however it is the allotment owners and the keen gardeners who are having the most fun with producing their own.

Rachel Allen said: “I am utterly thrilled to be involved with this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival as it is the first year that gardening will be intertwined with food. There is a great synergy between spades and spoons and in order for us chefs to produce wonderful dishes, the growth and harvest of our produce is so important. I am really looking forward to seeing what’s in store.”

The Food Festival will also have a pavilion dedicated to Grow and Taste. The supply chain between artisan food producers and the source of their ingredients will be laid bare and celebrated. Visitors will also be able to learn more about growing their own produce in the Get Going Get Growing workshops.

Show development officer Nina Acton said: “We are delighted to be welcoming a huge array of top chefs and producers who will form part of this exciting foody line-up. It is going to add a fabulous new dimension to the gardening show.”

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival takes place from Thursday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11. For ticket infomration and to book, visit threecounties.co.uk/rhsmalvern