Enjoy some early festive spirit and stock up on those essential gifts at a tremendous Craft and Food Show at Shugborough.

Celebrity chef Richard Fox, (famous for his partnership with Neil Morrissey of 'Men Behaving Badly' at the restaurant and pub 'Ye Old Punch Bowl Inn' at Harrogate ) is set to take centre stage at the show. 

This year's theme is Love Food, Hate Waste and Richard will be performing a number of demonstrations, throughout the weekend, which promote ideas for using left over food. He is concentrating on maximising good healthy family meals on a budget, as well as getting the best from all the food you buy - ultimately meaning less waste. 

Also in the food hall, professional chefs will create gastronomic delights in their demonstrations and all their creations will be available to sample and take home as a tasty souvenir. There's beer tasting, a cooking with spices demonstration and a curry sauce display.  There's also a make 'n' bake section for the children, as well as many delicious stands where you can taste a variety of produce before you buy.

In the craft tents, over 80 master craftsmen, ranging from potters and painters to weavers and wood turners, will demonstrate their skills and everything is on show and available to buy. Stalls displaying hand-crafted toys, beautiful glassware, paintings, textiles and wonderful ornaments plus a wide selection of custom made jewellery and rural arts like corn dollies and dough craft, are regular favourites at this huge event.

With many other craft activities taking place, including  a "make and take" event for both adults and children of all ages, visitors can try their hand at traditional artisan skills under the watchful eyes of the expert crafts people.

There will also be a bouncy castle, card making demos, clay workshops, archery, live music, fashion shows, birds of prey, donkeys, owls and a pets corner. Last year visitor numbers reached nearly 6,000 and this year looks set to be even better.

The show represents some of the countries most talented craftsmen and women and has expanded into a real family day out. Many of the crafts are totally unique and not available on the high street, so it's a marvellous opportunity to treat yourself and get some inspiration for Christmas if you are well organised!

Shugborough Food and Craft Fair will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2009 . Admission is £5 for Adults, £4 for Senior Citizens and £2 for Children, which includes admission into the grounds, gardens and parkland. (There is an extra charge for guided tours, if you wish to explore the House).

The Shugborough Craft and Food Fair is open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October.

To enjoy the estate's main attractions of mansion house, servants' quarters and farm separate charges apply.