CELEBRITY chef Marco Pierre White will be cooking up a storm when he heads to Heaton Park for Manchester's newest food extravaganza.

Food enthusiasts are in for a treat as the chef, dubbed British cooking's enfant terrible, makes a rare public appearance at the inaugural Manchester Eats Festival on July 7 and 8.

Despite having three Michelin stars to his name, Marco, who hung up his apron in 1999, is notorious for his aversion to public displays of his culinary prowess.

However the "Godfather of Modern Cooking", who has more than 50 restaurants in the UK, Dubai and Abu Dhabi to his name, will be donning his whites to create one of his favourite dishes.

Denise Harris, Manchester Eats event director, said: "As a rule Marco does not cook at public events, so we are thrilled that he has agreed to help us mark our inaugural Manchester Eats festival by getting behind the stove and preparing one of his signature dishes.

"He will also be being interviewed so visitors can find out a bit more about the real Marco and what inspires him. It promises to be an insightful event."

Manchester Eats will bring together some of the region's best bars and restaurants alongside top international street food stalls for a celebration of all things edible.

Over the weekend visitors will have the opportunity to sample and buy tasty treats from a range of themed areas including a huge producers’ market, a gin garden, a craft beer zone and a healthy living area.

There will also be an activity zone with interactive sports for both children and adults, a children's village and live DJ sets.

With an entertaining programme of demonstrations and masterclasses from high profile celebrity chefs across the festival, Marco will also join many of his former proteges, including BBC Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt, whom he trained at his The Foxhunter restaurant.

Advance tickets, priced £7.50 for the day, or £12 for the weekend, are available from Seetickets and manchestereats.co.uk.