‘Wok star’ Dave Critchley joins top chefs at this year's Southport Flower Show!

TV chef Dave Critchley is to appear at Southport Flower Show to show off the talents which have made him a ‘wok star’ of modern cuisine.

Dave has twice featured on The Great British Menu and worked in the kitchens of some of the North West’s best-known restaurants.

And although he started his career washing pots in a pub in his native Liverpool, Dave has become a rising star of Chinese food.

In 2019, he won the honour of being the first non-Chinese cook to be selected as an apprentice of the renowned master chef Zhengxi Wu at the Tianjin School of Cuisine.

He is now co-owner and executive chef at Lu Ban restaurant in Liverpool, which this month won a prestigious award at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2022.

Judges gave Lu Ban the Gold award for ‘bringing a new dimension to Chinese food in Liverpool’.

Dave will be revealing some of his culinary secrets when he appears in the cookery theatre, sponsored by Home Bargains at Southport Flower Show on Friday 19th August at 1pm.

He said: “I can’t wait to prepare some of my favourite recipes at Southport and meet everyone there, it’s going to be a great day out.”

Also starring in the show kitchens will be fellow Liverpool-born chef Ellis Barrie, who appeared on the recent revival of Ready Steady Cook on the BBC.

Ellis, who launched the celebrated Marram Grass restaurant on Anglesey, will be making his third appearance at Southport.

Visitors to Southport this year will also be able to see Hairy Biker Si King showcasing some of his favourite recipes.

Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday 18th August to Sunday 21st August with more than 55,000 visitors expected at the largest independent flower show in the UK.

Southport Flower Show general manager Alan Adams said: “Visitors to the cookery theatre are in for a real treat this year. We are delighted to welcome Dave to join our fantastic line-up of talented chefs.”

Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Home Bargains, is a registered charity (charity number 1000698). Early bird tickets are now on sale for £24 until Wednesday 17th August. Gate price is £27. Children under 16 go free.