WREXHAM'S very own celebrity chef Dai Davies takes the leading role at food and drink event Real Taste Wrexham this weekend, fresh from receiving an honorary fellowship from NEWI.

Dai was presented with the fellowship during this year's graduation ceremonies at the end of October.

At a presentation attended by several hundred people, Dai was honoured for his services to the food industry.

This latest honour complements Dai's many other awards. He captained a team that won a diploma of honour in the Culinary World Cup, and a bronze medal in the Culinary World Olympics.

Last year, Dai served as Food Culture Ambassador for Wales. He has worked at some of the most famous restaurants in London's West End and Dai now works as a freelance celebrity chef.

Dai is the star attraction at this year's Real Taste Wrexham event which takes place at the NEWI sport hall from 10am to 4pm this Saturday and Sunday. Admittance is just £1 on the door.

Nearly 40 food and drink companies from Wrexham and further afield are taking stands and there will be plenty of free tastings for the public.

And Dai won't be the only Davies there - look out for his son, nine-year-old Daniel, who will be taking part in some of the cookery demonstrations.

Other local chefs in the line-up who will keep the crowds entertained with numerous demonstrations include Nic Walton and Joe Haftavani, executive chef and commis chef respectively at the Cross Lanes Country Hotel and Steve Roberts, executive chef at the Lion Quays in Moreton, near Chirk.

Highlights will include the result of a children's competition to create a healthy recipe for their mums and dads using local produce, a Celtic bistro and cookery demonstrations including Cuisine of Thailand, Wales on a Plate, Around the World on a Plate, the Fine Art of Sausage Making, A Taste of Welsh Coastal Shellfish and A Taste of Welsh Lamb.

Dai said: 'The fellowship from NEWI is a great honour for me. I'm so pleased that it has come from a Welsh university, and it makes me very proud.

'Absolutely everyone is welcome at Real Taste Wrexham over the weekend. We are looking forward to meeting the Wrexham public and demonstrating the fantastic dishes that can be made from the wide range of quality local produce.'