STAYING in is definitely the new going out at this year’s York Food & Drink Festival as people throw open their homes to discerning diners.

Masterchef finalist Sara Danesin Medio is one of those who will be entertaining in her own home as part of the Dine At My Table events taking place in September.

Others welcoming guests will be Sister Agatha Leach, at the Bar Convent in Blossom Street, and Frank Green who will be taking guests on a tour the Treasurer’s House before being served dinner in the historic surroundings.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, said: “York Food & Drink Festival is a fantastic celebration of the very best produce that Yorkshire has to offer.

“With TV chefs showcasing their talents as well as a brilliant Dine At My Table theme, this year’s festival looks set to be bigger and better than ever.”

Other events will include a visit from the Queen’s 2nd Ghurkha Signal regiment from Nepal. Its soldiers will whip up authentic Nepalese Ghurkha curries to raise money for the North Yorkshire division of The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association.

Meanwhile, Andrew Pern, owner of the Star Inn at Harome, will take on Rudding Park chef Stephanie Moon and Tim Bilton, of The Butcher’s Arms, at Hepworth, near Huddersdfield, as they reproduce the menus they prepared on the BBC’s Great British Menu show.

Another highlight will be the comical Yorkshire Vision Sausage Contest which will be a parody of the Euro Vision Song Contest. The event will see the compere and guests “sampling, speculating and speaking in foreign accents as they choose, albeit unfairly, who will win this much coveted award”.

Michael Hjort, director of the festival, said: “Last year saw 444,000 visitors at the festival and with the amazing line-up we have this year, we are sure to beat that.”

York Food & Drink Festival runs from September 16 to 25. For more details, log on to yorkfoodfestival.com