Andrew Kojima, Masterchef finalist in 2012 and cookery teacher, has signed up to be part of Ely's tenth Eel Festival weekend.

Andrew will be part of the Food and Drink Festival on Palace Green on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May.

This brand new event supported by G’s Fresh will see a fantastic line up of chef demonstrations running throughout the Festival at ‘The Cookery Theatre’ where people will be able to see, smell and taste some amazing food. These include:

* Leah Jensen, Head Chef of both Poet’s House, Ely and recently opened, Paddocks House in Newmarket

* Corrinne Payet, French Patisserie – Gourmandises

* Mark Anstead, Cambridgeshire Wines School

* Catering Students from Cambridge Regional College

* Plus many more to soon be announced

Andrew Kojima said: "Eels evoke emotion and memories. Eating a bowl of rice and eels in a tiny restaurant in Tokyo that sold only rice and eels. Being mystified by jellied eels sold in pie and mash shops in East London. A beautiful smoked eel and carrot starter at a restaurant in London. Coming face to face with a conger eel while snorkelling in Malaysia. Watching fisherman catching eels with my Uncle on the River Severn. On Monday 5 May, I will demonstrate two dishes with eels, one British, one Japanese and pay homage to these intriguing little fish."

Tracey Harding, Tourism Team Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "It is fantastic to have someone of the prestige and esteem of Andrew Kojima cooking and demonstrating his skills at this year’s Eel Festival. This year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. So from the Food and Drink Festival to the Ely Street Muster as well as the old favourites of the parade and the carnival on Jubilee Gardens – this year’s Eel Festival will be a weekend to remember."

All the usual fun of the Eel Festival will be taking place from 2 – 5 May including the annual Ely Day Parade, a full programme of arena events in Jubilee Gardens including Folk Music, Eel Pottery Workshops, Music and Dancing, Historical Displays and Re-enactments with lots of family participation opportunities.

For information on all these activities and many other fringe events keep checking out our Eel Festival Weekend page at www.visitely.org.uk and follow us on Twitter @visitely.