Yorkshire’s Food Capital: Malton gets seal of approval from Gilly ‘The Cook’ Robinson and Whitby baker and GBBO winner David Atherton

Liana Jacob
By Liana Jacob
Published 31st May 2023, 15:19 BST
Updated 1st Jun 2023, 08:33 BST
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The Malton Food Lovers Festival was in full swing over the weekend and two headliners were Gilly ‘The Cook’ Robinson and Yorkshire baker David Atherton, who won GBBO in 2019. Liana Jacob reports.

As I stepped off the train in Malton on Saturday morning (May 27), I felt an immediate sense of optimism; the sun was shining, the skies were clear and the town looked like a postcard. I thought: This day is off to a great start already.

The walk to the festival was a short one, only taking 10 minutes. Within that time, I passed by a girl who was part of a team called Pure, a West Yorkshire organic pet food company, who was also heading to Malton Food Lovers Festival. It was her first time visiting too. We walked together and she described the company’s ethos and the inspiration behind it.

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When we got there, we went our separate ways, and I took it all in. Organisers of the event were setting up the stalls, tents and equipment as it was only 8.30am when I got there and the festival didn’t start until 9am.

Gilly Robinson and David Atherton at the main stage of Malton Food Lovers Festival.Gilly Robinson and David Atherton at the main stage of Malton Food Lovers Festival.
Gilly Robinson and David Atherton at the main stage of Malton Food Lovers Festival.

As I browsed the busy market place, I could already smell food lingering in the air, though I was told that the scent would intensify later into the day. On my walk around the market, I bumped into the girl I met on the way to the festival. She was with her team at their stall where we talked.