Award-winning chef and television personality Clodagh McKenna has been confirmed as a headline act for this year’s Newport Food Festival scheduled for October.

McKenna, who has established herself as a prominent figure in British culinary media through her television presenting work and extensive cookbook collection, will appear at the city centre event on Saturday, October 3.

The Irish-born chef, recognised for her work promoting seasonal produce and sustainable cooking practices, will take part in live cooking demonstrations throughout the festival.

Attendees can expect to receive practical recipe guidance and professional culinary advice during her appearances at one of south Wales’ largest food celebrations.

Her forthcoming television programme, Clodagh Cooking at Home, is due to premiere during the same month as the festival.

Throughout her career, McKenna has become a familiar presence on ITV’s This Morning programme, where she has demonstrated accessible recipes for everyday home cooking.

She has previously helmed her own television series, namely Fresh from the Farmers’ Markets and Fresh from the Sea.

Her literary output includes nine published cookbooks, with titles such as In Minutes and Clodagh’s Happy Cooking achieving considerable commercial success.

In 2022, McKenna was named champion of ITV’s Cooking with the Stars competition.

Beyond her media work, she operates Broadspear, a sustainable farm spanning 100 acres in the Welsh countryside, where she advocates for environmentally conscious food production methods and seasonal ingredient usage.

During the Newport festival, she will also serve as a judge for the Teen Chef competition.

The annual Newport Food Festival has developed into a significant fixture in the regional calendar since its inception, drawing thousands of visitors to the city centre annually.

The event showcases the diverse food and drink offerings from across south Wales, featuring commercial stalls, handcrafted artisan goods, entertainment for families, and various culinary contests.

The festival programme incorporates chef demonstrations while highlighting the work of regional producers, independent traders, and street food businesses.

Organisers anticipate that McKenna’s participation will enhance the profile of the gathering.