Tasty line-up unveiled as capital food festival returns to its Meadows home

Gary Rhodes, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Martin Blunos top the bill at the three-day event, which was threatened with the axe earlier this year amid a row over where it should be staged.

Martin Wishart, Mary Contini, Tony Borthwick and Roy Brett are among the Edinburgh chefs taking time out of their kitchens to take part in the festival, which is being held for the fifth time.

As well as moving back to the Meadows, where it was held for the first two years, it has also been moved to a later slot in the calendar, over the first weekend in July, in an attempt to secure better weather conditions.

The restaurants that will serve up "taster dishes" include Wedgwood, First Coast, Cucina at Hotel Missoni and Tigerlily.

Theatre demonstrations, a cookery school, workshops and caf-bars will be among the highlights of the festival, which is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors. Festival managing director Justin Clarke said: "What we're working really hard to do this year is have chefs that are really great restaurateurs, that are absolutely on their game doing great stuff."

Meanwhile, Mr Wishart, who has held a Michelin star for his eaterie in Leith, has confirmed plans to open a second restaurant in the city this July.

The Honours, inspired by an 18th century book on table etiquette, will be a brasserie mixing traditional French cuisine with home-grown produce.

Mr Wishart said: "To date, this has to be the most exciting business venture that I have been associated with.

"Edinburgh is where I am from and I am delighted to be opening a contemporary brasserie in the New Town."