MASTERCHEF star Torode joked that he had never stabbed an elephant before — as he cut the first slice of the seven foot elephant cake which has been the talk of Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

The Masterchef judge is in Bolton for the third day of the food festival, following an appearance from his partner and fellow cook Lisa Faulkner.

He was tasked with cutting a slice of the 250kg elephant cake, created by Clitheroe-based master baker Rose Dummer to mark the festival’s tenth birthday, and inspired by Bolton’s own elephants.

Speaking to The Bolton News after the cake cutting, John said: “It was delicious, look how many cakes there are within the cake! It is like a cake masterpiece!”

The 50-year-old chef is back in Bolton for the second year running, after his appearance at last year’s festival.

He will hold cookery demonstrations, and will oversee the ‘Great Bolton Menu’ challenge, which featured 2015 Masterchef winner Simon Wood.

John said: “I like Bolton, it is great to be back. Simon is doing some cooking, so it will be great to see what he is up to.

"I haven't had a chance to have a good look round yet, but it looks bigger and better than last year.”

John said he will make Indonesian fish curry, Korean fried chicken and a bloody mary during his demonstrations.

He said: "I am here to talk about going back to basics, and in a way, cheating a little bit.

"These days with all the convenient stuff that is around the place, I think there is no reason for you to labour over your food. I want people to enjoy cooking, rather than labour over it.”

John also said he will make good on his promise to visit the Thailand Cafe in Bridge Street, which he heaped praise on during last year’s event.

He said: "I am going to go down there after lunch. The problem is that there are so many stalls here and so much to see, then what are you going to choose from.

“The food was just delicious, it actually tasted of Thailand.

“The great thing is that it is a place where they weren’t using expensive ingredients, they were doing what they should be doing, and they were doing it very well.”

Asked for any other tips for this year’s event, he recommended Jackie Kearney’s Hungry Gecko street food stall.

The Chorlton based chef was a previous finalist on Masterchef.

John added: "I will tell you who is good, Jackie Kearney, especially if you are vegan.

“She has made this special sauce. In Asian food you need fish source a lot of the time, but she has made a vegetarian version.”