THE ORGANISERS of Burnham-on-Sea Food Festival have teamed up with the Hawksmoor Cookery School to offer four drop in sessions for aspiring chefs.

The free workshops, lead by chef Chrissie Godfrey will teach participants how to cook a variety of international dishes and visitors will have the chance to make their own hummus.

Mrs Godfrey, said: "We have some great restaurants in the town, but the offering for vegetarians is generally limited.

"As a lifelong passionate cook, I wanted to show people just how amazing and versatile the range of vegetable based dishes can be.

"The idea of 'pop up dining' took off in our major cities, wended its way to the West Country and I've been popping up in different venues ever since."

The cookery school will be running the drop in sessions on May 27 at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm at the Somerset Skills and Learning Centre on Princess Street and a spokesman said they feel proud to be sponsoring the festival this year.

Finbarr O'Mahony, from Hawksmoor Investment Management, said: "We are very proud to be sponsoring the Cookery Schools at EAT’s award-winning Food & Drink Festivals this summer.

"Hawksmoor is an independent, West Country-based business focused on responsibly managing the wealth entrusted to our care.

"We are committed to our local presence and to being part of the communities we serve and are therefore delighted to work with EAT to showcase our local, independent producers.

"These festivals celebrate what is best about living in Somerset – a vibrant food culture and a strong sense of community.

"The Hawksmoor Cookery School will be fun - possibly messy and help the most inexperienced foodie to become a master chef."

Visitors involved in the workshops will also have the chance to taste, adjust and discuss the recipes they learn to cook with Mrs Godfrey so they can cook them at home.

For more information visit http://www.burnhamonseafoodfestival.org.