Thousands of food lovers enjoyed the tastes and smells of a festival in the sunshine. The launch of the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival’s autumn harvest on Thursday, kickstarting more than a week of events celebrating the variety of producers and caterers in the city and beyond.

The burst of balmy autumn sunshine made the weekend of food, music and drink on Hove Lawns irresistible.

Highlights included live cooking demonstrations from the likes of 64 Degrees and Terre à Terre a mix-off cocktail competition and tastings with wineries Ridgeview, Bolney and Albourne and supplier Henry’s Wine Cellar.

A Taste of Sicily on Friday, a partnership with the Nivarata festival of granita, championed wines grown on Mount Etna, alongside artisan cheese, charcuterie and traditional foods such as caponata, arancini and cannoli.

Last night The Three Chefs involved a meal from Rob Carr of Hotel du Vin, Andrew MacKenzie from The Restaurant at Drakes, and Michael Bremner of 64 Degrees.