CELEBRITY chef John Torode is used to grilling hopeful contestants on our television screens.

But the MasterChef judge is swapping the studio for the streets of Bolton this Bank Holiday Weekend.

The TV presenter and chef will be taking to the kitchen at Bolton Food and Drink Festival for a live cookery demonstration.

He said: “This year will see me cooking dishes from my new book, My Kind of Food.

“It's all about the food I cook and eat at home, filled with fun and tasty food.

“Whenever a festival is on and a live show is coming up, I think that absolutely anything can happen. I await the surprises of the day, and that's what makes it so special.”

Born in Australia, Mr Torode started his career off as a chef in his teenage years before moving to the UK in the 90s where he has opened a number of restaurants.

However, the 50-year-old is best known for teaming up with Greg Wallace to present foodie favourite MasterChef.

They have become firm BBC favourites as viewers regularly tune in to see them judge amateurs, and even celebrities, eager to impress in the kitchen.

And the dishes are not the only thing entertaining audiences, with the judges’ opinions clashing as often as the contestants’ cooking pots.

“The world is full of different opinions and we certainly each have our own,” he added.

“Hopefully our opinions help reflect those of the public and, should they open up their own place, everyone will be as excited by their wacky creations.

“Masterchef is just a great show. The people make it special! The cooks who want to learn, get better and make a difference.

“Watching people change their lives is a wonderful thing, and I also think that people love watching if there is a disaster and we have to taste a plate of muck.

“There have been way too many great dishes and a huge array of disasters, but steamed scallop soufflés and a dish that looked like it was thrown up by a deer in the woods have been some of the nasty ones. Properly yuck.”

He won’t have Mr Wallace by his side in Bolton but Mr Torode will be joined by his partner, actress and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant, Lisa Faulkner.

Lisa will be taking part in the festival’s 10th anniversary celebrations with her own cooking demonstrations but there will be no rivalry between the pair.

“There’s no need for competition, we cook different things that we both enjoy and we do both like to eat,” joked Mr Torode.

As well as wowing audiences with recipes from his new book, the restaurateur is hoping to see his fellow chefs in action at the festival – with a line-up including James Martin and Michael Caines.

He said: “There is plenty to learn and we all like a gossip.

“It’s a great event with plenty going on and I get to eat at one of my favourite Thai eateries.

“I like the Thailand Cafe in Bolton. I am really excited about going back and having the laap gai.”

Bolton Food and Drink Festival runs from Friday, August 28 until Monday, August 31.

To find out more or to book a place to view a demonstration, visit boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com.