Local producers sold a huge variety of goods including cakes, meat, pickles and wines, as well as kitchen accessories, at the Holdenby Food Show held on Sunday and yesterday.

Thousands of people flocked to the 16th century house to sample the culinary delights on offer.

Michelin star chef Adam Gray – who grew up in Northamptonshire and is head chef at the prestigious Rhodes 24 restaurant in London – was among the top cooks giving demonstrations at the event, sponsored by Waitrose.

He said: “This event is just great for Northamptonshire and shows what the county has to offer.”

Julie Wood, of Sulgrave-based New England Cheesecake Company, sold her awarded-winning baked cheesecakes.

She said: “People come here to see food and taste it. We have got some serious foodies around and the whole setting is lovely.”

Hargrave farmer Duncan Farrington also had a stand promoting his award-winning rape seed oil, called Farrington’s Mellow Yellow, and his new honey, mustard and blackberry vinegar salad dressings went down well.

His mum Angela Farrington, who was manning the stall, said: “The salad dressings were all flying off the shelves.”

Poachers Pasties sold game pasties, including pheasant and grouse, while Isham’s, The Olive Queen, presented its delicious anti-pasti selection.

Barbecue prawns, burgers, sausages and chicken were rustled up by Irthlingborough-based Cookaboro’.

There were plenty of tasty brews on sale including ales from Hoggleys Brewery, in Litchborough, and wines produces by Fleur Fields Vineyard, in Brixworth.