‘TASTY’ creepy crawlies will be on the menu during this year’s Llangollen Food Festival.

The bushtucker feast for food lovers is being masterminded by Jack Hatley, head chef at the town’s Gales Wine Bar and Hotel.

Jack has taken his inspiration from I’m a Celebrity, a tv show where contestants are challenged to tuck into a whole host of creepy crawlies.

According to Jack, some of the world’s top rated Michelin-starred restaurant are now serving up insects in their dishes.

He plans to use the unusual ingredients to create three insect delicacies - grass hopper guacamole, cricket cookies and a meal worm arancini - deep fried balls of rice packed with meal worm

The acclaimed chef is a regular in the demonstration kitchen at the event, alongside favourites like Dai Chef and TV chef Graham Tinsley who will be serving up more traditional fine food.

Jack said: “Insects are seen as a staple source of protein to many people around the world yet we seem to have a real hang up about eating them.

“A restaurant called Noma, in Copenhagen, which has two Michelin stars and has been voted in the world’s top 50 restaurant list for many years, is using insects in some of their dishes and they forage for many of their ingredients.

“Insects are a fantastically healthy food source and are very abundant and breeding insects as food has a range of environmental advantages. We just need to have a cultural change to make insects more acceptable as a food source.”

Jack, who has worked at Chester’s Grosvenor Hotel, added: “I want to get members of the public up to try these insect dishes and gauge the reaction.

“Insects are without doubt a really sustainable form of eating and could well be the future of fine dining – if we can get over the hang-ups.”

The event pumps about £400,000 into the local economy every year.

Pip Gale, managing director of Gales Llangollen, who also sits on the Llangollen Food Festival Committee, said: “I have tried insects and they are actually very tasty. I’m hoping Jack can show that insects are a great alternative and a sustainable food source packed full of protein and goodness.”

The event takes place this weekend - October 13 and 14. For more information about Llangollen Food Festival go to www.llangollenfoodfestival.com