Chef Aazam Ahmad hosts cookery demonstration in warm up event for Feel Good Festival

Millie Cluskey helping chef Aazam Ahmad

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

BBC Fusion chef Aazam Ahmad gave a cookery demonstration today (Friday 15 August) as part of a warm up event for the Feel Good Festival.

Held at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre between 12pm and 2pm, Aazam entertained crowds whilst cooking a variety of dishes.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Aazam said: “It was brilliant. Rochdale crowds are always welcoming and warm and are always up for taking part and that makes things go really well. Even the youngsters are keen to get involved and that is brilliant.

"I am really looking forward to the festival this year.”

As part of the demonstration Aazam cooked a tuna steak dish and chicken and prawn wontons.

Martin Ballard, from Red Cape Marketing, who organised the demonstration said: “It went really well. Aazam knows how to work a crowd and really got people interested before he had even started. We have had people coming along all day but I think we have definitely seen a couple of hundred people stop.

“We wanted to do these demonstrations as a way of spreading the word about the Feel Good Festival. By holding a demonstration you can create a different kind of buzz.”

Jeanne Owen, who stopped to watch Aazam, said: “I was in the centre having some dinner so thought I would have a look at what was going on. I think it is a great idea to do this and I will be going to the festival this year.”

Salaha Begum said: “We saw Aazam at the festival last year and liked him so decided to come and have a look at what he will be doing this year.”

Anne Schofield said: “We went to the festival last year so will probably go again this year. These demonstrations are a good idea to show people what will be going on.”

Rochdale Feel Good Festival will take place on Friday 29 August and Saturday 30 August with Aazam appearing in the celebrity kitchen on both days.