The festival, which last year pulled in an estimated 75,000 visitors, will take place from Friday, August 26 to Monday, August 29. The four-day festival, organised by Bolton Council, will take over Victoria Square and Oxford Street, with plans to expand this year's event even further around the town centre. Caines said: "I am extremely honoured to be asked to officially open the Bolton Food and Drink Festival. This is the ultimate foodie event and is not to be missed. I am confident that it will supersede the success of last year's event to ensure that this festival remains firmly on the calendar for many years to come." Other chefs to take part in the festival include Italian chef Gino D'Acampo and Yorkshire chef James Martin. Martin has appeared at the festival for the last two years. He said: "The festival is getting bigger and better thanks to the efforts of the council. I love festivals like these and it seems that Bolton has really mastered a recipe for success. I am really looking forward to coming back, browsing the food and drink stalls and using the fresh, local produce to cook up some fabulous dishes." New for this year is a cookery theatre for local and regional chefs in the Market Place Shopping Centre. Chefs will also cook in the kitchen at Bolton Market, Ashburner Street. Tickets for the celebrity chef demonstrations will go on sale in June.