PANCAKE races yesterday got the weekend's third Christchurch Food Festival off to a flipping good start.

Local celebrities, chefs and business teams puffed and pan-ted along Church Street from the Priory gates to the finish line outside Splinters restaurant.

Splinters played the home advantage to scoop both the chef race trophy with Dave Basher who was back in action later to lead his kitchen colleagues Jason Davenport, Adam Stocker and Richard Whiting to victory in the business team relay race.

Dave also found the energy to take part in the celebrity race won by Christchurch Chamber of Trade president David Badley despite the handicap of carrying his young son Brendan on his shoulders.

A large crowd watched the races run in aid of the Wessex Autistic Society's Domino Appeal.

The Echo-backed Food Fest3 continues today with an international food market where traders from French twin town Saint L are among the myriad stalls laid out in the High Street and Saxon Square.

A 10-day menu of mouth-watering culinary events at pubs, restaurants and other venues continues until Sunday May 19 when TV cook Lesley Waters presides over a barbecue at Highcliffe Castle.

Details of all events are included in a Food Fest3 programme available from participating venues and the Tourist Information in the High Street.