The tastebuds are zinging ahead of the Abergavenny food festival this weekend )September 16-17, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

A host of top chefs, cooks, producers and suppliers are winging in.

And the food festival dome at the castle, sponsored by the Sant Ffraed House wedding venue, includes What No Tomatoes? — a debate on food supply-chain issues chaired by Sheila Dillon (Radio 4, Food Programme) and Andi Oliver talking about her first cookbook The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories from my Caribbean Table.

There will also be a discussion on Making Space for Nature — why we must do more of it and what it can teach us, and the Festival’s famously hilarious Food Quiz.

Come night-time, musicians take centre-stage for the sell-out Party at The Castle.

Aside from the Markets, Stroller ticket holders can also enjoy over 20 guest performer events on each day: chef demonstrations, talks, debates, and cooking over fire.

You can enjoy the theatre of it all and get take-home tips from top culinary talent, learn new skills and up your game in the kitchen.

You can watch fire stage hosts, the irrepressible Hangfire Girls (Sam & Shauna, above), kick off the Cooking over Fire programme at the Castle with some fabulous Pembrokeshire lamb.

Their guests include USA star pit-master Ray Lampe aka Dr BBQ, James Whetlor, author of the DIY BBQ Cookbook, and Leyli Homayoonfar of Bab Haus Mex who’s on a mission to bring the best Mexican Street Food to South Wales.

See www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com for more details.