POPULAR cook, entrepreneur and musician Levi Roots will be appearing at this year’s Malton Food Lovers Festival.

Levi burst onto television screens on BBC’s Dragons’ Den in 2007 strumming a guitar and singing about his Reggae Reggae sauce. His pitch won the nation’s hearts and gained major investment from two of the Dragons.

For this year’s Malton Food Lovers Festival, Levi joins a line-up including Prue Leith, William Sitwell, Valentine Warner and Diana Henry.

Levi will be doing demonstrations on Saturday, May 23, and also appearing with his band at the inaugural night market where he will be playing tracks from his new album, Rise Above. Following his appearance on Dragons’ Den, Levi’s famous barbecue and jerk mix sauce was exclusively supplied to Sainsbury’s where it became the chain’s fastest-selling product.

Levi had previously been making the sauce from his home kitchen with the help of some of his seven children and selling the sauce at various small outlets in London, including a record shop.

His late entry into the culinary field came because of commitments to music, performing with icons such as James Brown.

Levi was nominated for a MOBO award in 1998 and sang Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela when the South African president visited Brixton.

Levi’s last album Red Hot was launched in autumn 2009 by Sound Box Media and his new album is due for release in April.

Tom Naylor-Leyland, festival director, said: “Levi Roots will certainly spice up this year’s festival.

“I can’t wait to hear his band at the night market.

“His story is one which is really appropriate for this year as we have introduced the Community Kitchen area. This is a market area for community groups and individuals just starting out.

“I know Levi will have some very wise words to offer our fledgling entrepreneurs. His demonstrations are sure to be popular so we’re advising visitors to book early to avoid disappointment.”

The Malton Food Lovers Festival takes place on May 23 and 24 and will include a food market of more than 160 of Yorkshire’s best producers, retailers and restaurateurs, along with demonstrations, tutored tastings, talks and entertainment.

For more information, or to get involved, go to maltonyorkshire.co.uk

Access to the festival is free. However, chef demonstrations, cookery lessons in Malton Cookery School and other special events are ticketed and available via the website or Malton Relish in Market Place, Malton.