THE very best food prepared by Wales's best chefs — that's one of the top treats in store at the third West Wales Food Festival.

A star-studded line-up will prepare a special three-course gala dinner on the Sunday night of the event, which is being held at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15.

The evening begins with a welcome reception in the Great Glasshouse from 6.30pm with complementary drinks and canapés. Dinner is served at 8pm with each course prepared by a different chef.

Organiser and co-owner of Y Polyn, near Carmarthen, Mark Manson said: "We've secured the services of some of Wales's top chefs for this event and the gala dinner really is a totally unique culinary experience."

Award-winning master chef and champion of Welsh food Gareth John is providing the starter which is terrine of free range chicken with pickled mushrooms and mead jelly.

Gareth runs the world-renowned Wynnstay Hotel, in Machynlleth, with his brother Paul, where he is famed for using the finest Welsh ingredients.

The main course will be crispy roast belly pork, black pudding and a piece of braised pork — prepared by the much-garlanded chefs at Y Polyn restaurant, in nearby Nantgaredig. And Stephen Terry, who runs the highly-acclaimed Hardwick restaurant in Abergavenny, is providing the pudding.

Mark added: "West Wales as a region produces some of the best ingredients money can buy and to have this excellent local food in the hands of such top chefs is going to be a real treat."

The two-day festival also promises a local producer market with more than 50 stalls brimming with locally- produced food and drink, as well as offering tastings and demonstrations.

And there will be leading chefs — including Stephen and Gareth — as well as Bryn Williams and Angela Gray demonstrating their skills in the Festival Kitchen, donated by Leekes. This year, the popular Children Zone returns with "make and bake" sessions and "Design Your Own Apron" workshops while Lord Foster's stunning Great Glasshouse hosts a festival craft fair.

In addition there will be music and magic as well as many talks and tours around the garden. "The range and quality of produce from West Wales is excellent and it definitely deserves a showcase like this," added Mark.

Tickets for the Sunday night dinner cost £45.

For more info or to book tickets, call the garden on 01558 667149.