A STUNNING gala dinner is being arranged in Tavistock to celebrate the end of the town?s first ever food festival being held at the end of this month.

The meal is being organised by Masterchef John McGeever, of Brown?s Hotel. He will cook it , accompanied by Peter Gorton of the Horn of Plenty.

To make the event even more special, proceeds from the night will be donated to the Children?s Hospice South West.

The top chefs who are demonstrating during the two days of the festival are also being invited to attend the celebration dinner on Sunday, August 1.

John McGeever said: ?I think it will be a fantastic evening ? I think the whole festival is going to be fantastic.

?The town?s going to get a lot out of it ? it?s going to put Tavistock on the map, where it

belongs.?

John said his suppliers, all local, had agreed to donate their produce free in support of such a good cause and owner Peter Brown had given over the hotel free of charge for the evening.

The five-course meal will include champagne on arrival and feature true West Country produce like Devon beef, local scallops and red mullet. Tickets will cost £50, to include wine.

In addition to themeal, a special auction is being held. There are some fantastic prizes, including flight tickets to Cuba and Canada and a ladies? day, including a complete make-over and evening meal at Browns.

Tavistock Food Festival, organised by Tavistock Business Association, centres on the pannier market and includes dozens of local food and drink suppliers plus an exciting programme of cookery demonstrations by top chefs.