PREPARATIONS are under way for the 2009 Dorset Seafood Festival, with a host of star culinary names lined up to take part.

Organisers say it is all systems go for the popular celebration of seafood in July, which last year attracted thousands of visitors to Weymouth Harbour. Festival chairman Roger Dalton, managing director of Brewers Quay, said: “It was one of the most successful events on the harbour and the highest quality people felt they had seen. We want to replicate that this year.

“Very little is said or done about our fishing industry and the quality of our seafood and that is what we are trying to celebrate.

Organisers also wanted to clear up any confusion that the event might have suffered the same fate as next month’s Weymouth Sea Festival, which has been cancelled.

Mr Dalton said: “We just want to confirm that the Dorset Seafood Festival is definitely on and we have got a programme that is as exciting as last year, if not better.

“We are looking at this very much as a legacy event that is here to stay and we want to build it up to become something of national significance “ Star turns at this year’s Dorset Seafood Festival on the weekend of July 11 and July 12 will include local celebrity chef Mark Hix, Masterchef 2009 winner Mat Follas and wine expert Joe Wadsack, who will be sharing tips on cooking fish and choosing the right tipple to accompany it.

Jimmy and John Buchan, stars of the BBC television series Trawlermen, will also be hosting a fish auction and the waterfront will be transformed on both sides of Weymouth Harbour, with more than 30 stalls offering a vast array of fresh seafood.

Matt Whishaw, owner of Perry’s Restaurant, ran a stall serving fresh sea food at last year’s event and can’t wait to be involved again.

He said: “It was a fantastic event last year and we had a really good attendance.”

For more information about the event visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk.