A cooking demonstration to be hosted by Phil Vickery at Oakham Food & Drink Festival has been cancelled with less than 1 week to go before the big event.

The Rutland Food & Drink Festival is an annual event that takes place in Oakham in March, with local and national sellers, producers and creatives flocking to the market town to sell, advertise and share their goods.

This year, the festival is going ahead on Sunday 26 March from 11am until 4pm - however, this will be without the attraction of Phil Vickery, who is best known for his regular appearances on ITV's This Morning.

The organiser of Rutland Food & Drink Festival and manager of Oakham and Rutland Events, Carolyn Acton-Reed, has announced that the demonstration from the celeb chef has been cancelled due to a lack of uptake.

In a deflated post, she shared: "I'm sorry to say that we have had to cancel Phil Vickery coming to Oakham next week as part of the Rutland Food & Drink Festival.

"There was just not enough interest in the tickets which is a real shame."

The demonstration was organised by Carolyn, and was set to take place at Victoria Hall.

She added: "I tried."

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One resident commented: "Hope the whinging people that say there is never anything to do in Rutland take note of this. Carolyn Acton-Reed works so hard to bring some life into Rutland and this is the thanks she gets."

However, many are still looking forward to the Food & Drink Festival, which will take place at Oakham Castle, in Oakham Market Place, and along Oakham High Street this Sunday, 26 March 2023.

Tickets are free and dogs are welcome.