TELEVISION presenter Jamie Owen will be the dish of the day when he launches a major food event.

Jamie, who fronts BBC Wales Today, receives a constant stream of letters from female admirers - and has even had two marriage proposals.

But he will be concentrating on a very different passion when he officially opens the two-day Llangollen Food Festival on Saturday, October 15.

The presenter, who also has a daily show on BBC Radio Wales, is a self-confessed foodie.

Jamie is particularly looking forward to visiting Llangollen as he spent a lot of time in the area during the summer.

'We were filming for a new television series that's going out in the autumn, called Jamie Owen's Welsh Journeys,' he said. 'One of the documentaries is filmed around Denbigh and Llangollen, so it's an area I know well.

'It will be good to come back there and I think that food festivals are great - we don't showcase food as much as we should, we should be shouting about it.'

But, according to Jamie, some TV viewers are less reserved.

He said: 'Being recognised in the street can be a good thing and a bad thing - you get blamed for things in Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

'You have a huge mailbag and a big correspondence with the audience. It's a very cherished and special relationship and when you've been around a while you inevitably end up with a few fans.'

According to organiser Catrin Jones, this year's Llangollen Food Festival, in the International Eisteddfod's Royal Pavilion, will be bigger and better than ever.

Catrin, who works for the Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency, said: 'The Llangollen Food Festival is now firmly established as a major event on the Welsh culinary calendar.

'While the main aim is to promote mouth-watering Welsh cuisine, the event will also have a distinctly international flavour. Along with a host of award-winning home-grown food producers, the festival will also feature gastronomic talents from Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Poland.'

On Saturday businesses in Llangollen will be joining in by taking part in a window-dressing competition on a food theme.

The winner of the contest will be presented with a hamper of goodies by Jamie at the festival at 12.30pm.

The festival is open from 10am-5pm on both days. Entrance is £3 for adults and £2 for senior citizens and children.