A BOLTON restaurant is preparing to welcome back its most famous fan this weekend — Masterchef star John Torode.

The Aussie chef will be returning to the borough to appear at this weekend’s Food and Drink Festival and has said he will again be venturing to the Thailand Cafe in Bridge Street after visiting during last year’s event.

The Masterchef host stumbled across the small restaurant when looking for somewhere to eat last year and later praised it as the “the best Thai food I have had outside of Thailand.”

Ahead of this year’s festival, Mr Torode, who will be appearing alongside his partner, actress and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant, Lisa Faulkner, has said he can’t wait to once again sample the eastern offerings at the Bridge Street venue.

He said: “The Food and Drink Festival is 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.”

The staff at Thailand Cafe are excited about the Aussie chef’s return to the restaurant, including new chef Win Sudjai, who moved to Bolton two months ago after cooking in London for eight years.

He said: “I worked for eight years in London but I like Bolton more, the people are really nice here, it is really good.

“I am looking forward to the festival and to Mr Torode coming this weekend — I am happy to cook for him and he will be very welcome, no worries.”

The cafe has enjoyed the publicity it has received since the Masterchef host’s glowing review and proudly displays his quotes on a billboard outside the restaurant.

The 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.