RENOWNED MasterChef judge and Wiveliscombe resident William Sitwell will officially kick off Bampton’s festive season by turning on the town’s Christmas lights.

As part of the town’s Countdown to Christmas celebrations, the switch-on will lead into the highly anticipated Bampton Festive Restaurant Festival, a sell-out evening of food and drink across the town.

The event on Friday, December 6 at 7pm, will mark the start of an unforgettable evening in the town, where visitors and locals can enjoy a festive “food safari” across Bampton’s finest pubs, cafés, and restaurants.

Councillor Lucy Bull, of Bampton Town Council, says: “We are delighted to be involved in Bampton’s first Rest Fest by William Sitwell. It’s a great way of celebrating the wealth of culinary talent that we enjoy in the town.

“Food lovers from far and wide have a real treat to look forward to, and we know they will all enjoy this food safari. Bampton is rightly proud of the fantastic hospitality on offer, and it’s wonderful that we can showcase it in this way.”

Telegraph food critic William Sitwell, who lives locally, added: “Bampton is a beautiful town with food and drink to satisfy the hungry gourmand.

“Hospitality is a cornerstone of culture and we must fight to preserve it. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the culinary delights of Bampton than a food safari and the Bampton Festive Rest Fest will prove to be one fabulously, delicious fight.”

The evening begins and ends at Corks and Cru, Bampton’s award-winning wine shop, and its neighbouring venue Ginger Peanut, which offers stylish accommodation in the heart of town. While tickets for the festival have already sold out, everyone is welcome to join the Christmas lights switch-on and soak up the festive cheer in Bampton’s historic streets.

For more information about Bampton’s Christmas celebrations, visit www.williamsitwell.com/bamptonrestfest.