Crowds flocked to the Market Place for the third culinary event to sample some of Northumberland's finest cuisine, from meat and fish to muffins and cakes.

Visitor Peter Gotts from Ponteland said: "I think the festival is very good. It gets you trying different foods that you wouldn't usually try."

Such was the success of the weekend, organised by Alnwick Lions Club, that some stalls sold out of stock, including Northumbria Muffins, were cleaned out on Saturday after just three hours.

Janet Lawloe, owner of Northumbria Muffins said: "We did very well and sold out both days. On Saturday we sold over 200 muffins and 40 fruit puddings by 1.30pm. The festival was very good and is a good demonstration of what Northumberland has to offer."

Food fans were also treated to demonstrations by chefs, including Richard Sim, former executive chef at The Alnwick Garden, Martin Hutton and John Blackmore, of The Plough, Alnwick, while there were two chocolate demonstrations for those with a sweet tooth.

Martin Hutton said: "I am really pleased to be here, it's fabulous. The festival has evolved year on year and this year it's bigger and better.

"The festival shows all of the wonderful produce that Northumberland has to offer."

Other highlights included the hilarious Comedy Cooking – Holy Smoke, at the Playhouse, starring Jimmy Dodds and Peter and Nick Lewis, sizzling street entertainment from acts such as the Samande Jugglers and Gary Gifford of the Bread and Butter Theatre Company and appearances from festival favourites Alf the Lion, Beefy and Lamby and Chicken George.

The Celebrity Ready Steady Cook-style competition in The Playhouse caused a stir as agony aunt Denise Robertson and Durham cricketer Mitchell Claydon teamed up with chefs Richard Sim and Martin Charlton, with Martin and Mitchell the victors.

Money raised at events and collections throughout the festival will go towards the Bubble Foundation and Denise, who is president of the foundation, said: "It is absolutely wonderful that the Lions have picked the Bubble Foundation as this year's charity. We are so grateful."

Laura Cross, from Duchess's High School, Alnwick, was crowned the Young Chef of the Year, overcoming the challenge of Stephen Bewick, from Coquet High School, Amble, and Longhoughton and Boulmer WI won the challenge to make the perfect picnic.

Community chef Mark Earnden gave youngsters and families lessons in healthy eating and cooking at the Pottergate Centre in Howling Lane.

Festival fans were also left licking their lips after sampling Turnbull's Renaissance Pie, a recreation of the famous Rennison's Pie which was a "delicacy" in Alnwick until about 15 years ago.

And the meaty treats were a huge success. Mark Turnbull said: "They did phenomenally. They sold out in the shop before lunchtime and we used all of Sunday's pies on Saturday. Guessing, we must have sold between 1,500 and 2,000 pies.

"I have got two tired bakers.