Shrewsbury Food Festival 2017: ITV chef Sally Bee talks festival's fresh and healthy message

The demonstration will coincide with the launch of her new book, Beelicious, which shows people how to cook healthy food that’s packed with great flavour.

The book also includes a special journal, so people can make a day-by-day record of their eating plan as they get fit, lose weight or pursue another goal.

Sally, whose book features a foreword by her ITV colleague, Lorraine Kelly, said: “I’m thrilled to be headlining on the Sunday at Shrewsbury Food Festival.

“I’ve heard a lot about the event and it’s great that it’s grown and grown over the years.

“Cooking for other people gives me so much pleasure and I’m really looking forward to appearing on the demonstration stage so that people can see me making some of the dishes from Beelicious.

“It’s great to get out and about during the summer months, when the sun is shining and there’s great produce available locally.

“I’ll be talking to people about how they can eat well and live happy, healthy lives.”

Sally is one of the most remarkable cooks in the country and her healthy eating plan has helped her to survive five heart attacks, which were caused by a rare genetic condition.

“I’m literally living proof that we can improve our health by eating well.”

Sally’s life changed when she suffered a heart attack, quite unexpectedly. It was the first of several.

“I was talking to my friends and my husband, Dogan, laughing and watching the children play.

“One moment, everything was just as it should be, but within one breath, my whole life turned upside down, never to be the same again.

“Suddenly I felt extremely poorly. I handed my nine-month-old baby girl to a friend, and ran to the toilet. I had a feeling of impending doom, as if a big black cloud was looming over me, making every breath more meaningful.

“I understood immediately that something very serious was happening to me and that it was beyond my control. I collapsed on the floor, feeling as if my chest was being crushed and struggling to breathe. I felt sick and hot and sweaty. The pain I was enduring was so much worse than giving birth to any of my three babies.”

Remarkably, she battled back to full health and resumed her TV career, even venturing as far as Brazil to film a special show.

“Eating a healthy diet is as important as medication from the doctor, fitting smoke alarms, teaching kids to cross the road safely and not talking to strangers. We can all show our family and friends how much we care by feeding them well and nourishing them with the right food.

“I understand that every mouthful of food has the power to give us better health. Good food nourishes us, gives us health today and tomorrow.

“Fresh, healthy ingredients that are balanced, health giving, and always delicious can really make a difference.”

Her new book, Beelicious, will be available at Shrewsbury Food Festival and Sally will be signing copies.

“There’s a wellness journal as well as 52 new recipes. It’s based on the freshest, seasonal produce and I can’t wait to cook for people in Shrewsbury. It’s going to be a blast.

“Shrewsbury is such a beautiful town and there’s a great reputation for good food. I can’t wait to meet people, sign copies of my book and also check out some of the brilliant producers who’ll be exhibiting.”

Sally will be joined by a glut of other top names. And the festival will also welcome 200 exhibitors, local bands who will perform on The Buttermarket stage and the best in local craft.

Chief executive Beth Heath said: “This is going to be our biggest and best show to date.

“We’ve got great names, great activities and plenty of fun for all the family. We’ve won a number of awards recently and we’re out to prove that we’re deserving of them by putting on a brilliant event.”