Top chef Frances Atkins has never had mutton off the menu at her Michelin starred country house hotel, the Yorke Arms at Ramsgill in Nidderdale. "Mutton got a bad reputation because it was badly cooked. We cook it slowly with robust herbs like rosemary, adding a bit of sweetness from Yorkshire honey, to bring out all those lovely grassy flavours’.

One of Frances Atkins signature dishes; the Yorke Arms Mutton Pie, will be prepared by the team at Bedern Hall a beautiful medieval building in the heart of York. It will be served as part of the Mutton Dressed as Mutton special three-course lunch starring Yorkshire mutton.

Mutton is the meat of a sheep over one year old with a richer, stronger, more characterful flavour than lamb. Such has been the popularity and dominance of lamb that a whole generation has grown up without knowing how good mutton can be. So if you’ve never tasted it before, there can be no better introduction than this fabulous mutton lunch.

This exciting regional, seasonal lunch will be matched with a speciality beer selected by Jim Helsby of the York Wine and Beer Shop. Both Jim and Frances will on hand to guide diners through the menu and answer questions during lunch.

The Mutton will be supplied by Simon Kneafsley of M & K Butchers, Bishopthorpe Road, York, and will be available to buy throughout the Festival.

For more information visit www.yorkfestivaloffoodanddrink.com