Driving around in his second-hand Ford Capri in the 1980s and using Island-grown produce in the kitchen at River Cottage, are just some of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's fond encounters with the Isle of Wight, as he prepares to return to help launch a new food and drink festival.

The celebrity chef will be on the Island this coming weekend for the first-ever Great Wight Bite, at Northwood House.

"It's a really exciting event and a great celebration of the Isle of Wight's food heritage", Hugh told the County Press, nearly a decade after his last visit to the Island.

He said he wanted to come back to give the event a "leg up" and has "really nice" memories of the Island.

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"Quite a few years ago I went with a friend on holiday there for a few days and you can date the time by the fact I was driving one of my first cars, which was a second-hand Ford Capri, which must have been the late 80s", he said.

"I remember buying a lobster off a fisherman and making Lobster Thermidor in the cottage we were staying in - it was really quite the adventure."

Although he's not a frequent visitor, over the last decade he said he has eaten a lot of Island-grown produce.

Isle of Wight County Press: White Knuckle Brewery's Fergus and Edward Bristow will also be there.White Knuckle Brewery's Fergus and Edward Bristow will also be there. (Image: Great Wight Bite.)

"We get Isle of Wight tomatoes and garlic, which we use in the cookery school at River Cottage.

"I know there is some great regenerative farming going on.

"The Isle of Wight has for a long time been real champions of great produce."

On this visit, over the weekend of September 9 and 10, Hugh will be busy cooking up a storm for an audience.

Some lucky people will even get to try his dishes.

"I won't be catering for everybody but whenever I do a cooking demo at a food festival sometimes I lob a lemon into the audience and whoever catches it can have a taste or whatever", he said.

Isle of Wight County Press: From bottom right, clockwise, Nunwell Home Farm, Chris Bavin, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall ahead of The Great Wight Bite.From bottom right, clockwise, Nunwell Home Farm, Chris Bavin, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall ahead of The Great Wight Bite. (Image: Various/Great Wight Bite.)

Isle of Wight County Press: From left, Robert Thompson, Ben and Holly from The Little Gloster, Alex Kimber.From left, Robert Thompson, Ben and Holly from The Little Gloster, Alex Kimber. (Image: Great Wight Bite.)

Hugh will also spend time in the kid's kitchen, where there will be daily classes.

Visitors to the event will also be able to catch a glimpse of Michelin Star Chef Patron, Robert Thompson, The Heron’s Alex Kimber and Royal Hotel’s Matt Egan.

There are over 80 stalls showcasing cuisines from around the world, all served up with a side order of live music and entertainment.