The Great Yorkshire Show - the annual showcase for the farming industry - provides the perfect platform for presenting the region's finest food and drink.

This year the event held from Tuesday 12 -Thursday 14 July is set to be the best yet with some of the region's finest food and drink available.

Within the Food Hall visitors to the culinary extravaganza will find something to tempt even the pickiest of palates with everything from biscuits to beer, from strawberries to sausages and cheese to chutney. Many exhibitors are members of deliciouslyorkshire, the organisation which promotes the county's food and drink.

This year sees some new companies to the Food Hall, including The Yorkshire Crisp Company based in Sheffield and Novascotia Farm Produce, a Leeds based firm which produces home reared beef and specialty fresh baked steak pies.

Also making its show debut is the Foodmarket from Harvey Nichols Leeds, which will offer a selection of gourmet ingredients and luxury treats. The finest quality pasta, pesto, sauces, preserves and confectionary will be on offer, as well as new products for the Foodmarket such as Harvey Nichols' own brand rock (made by Farrah's of Harrogate) and a heady mix of spices from the Kitchen Guru.

The Women's Institute Pavilion is always a popular venue for tea and scones, and again they will be “brewing up” for the hundreds of visitors who make their way there each year.

Anyone wanting to take away recipe ideas can look forward to the Cookery Theatre, hosted by Elaine Lemm, Food and Wine writer. Leading chefs from the region's restaurants will be on hand to demonstrate skills and easy to make recipes, including Richard Walton-Allen from Harvey Nichols' Fourth Floor Restaurant, Robert Ramsden from The General Tarleton in Ferrensby near Knaresborough and Andy Gabbitas of Food for Thought caterers, Sheffield. Andy has been awarded the prestigious title of Master Chef of Great Britain.

In addition, the demonstrations in the Sainsbury's Cookery Theatre will add an extra dimension.

There are a wide range of culinary delights available for visitors across the 250 acre showground site, varying from the Aberdeen Angus Carvery to simple sandwiches, salads and savouries, which can be washed down with everything from water to champagne!

Leeds based Gilpins Caterers, who provide meals and snacks for judges, stewards and staff, attend the show every year, providing the amazing amount of food required over the three days.

This year their shopping list includes:

5000 Portions New Potatoes

1600 Portions Prawns

1000 Portions Sirloin Steak

700 Portions Gammon Ham

450 Pints Cream

1500 Portions Poached Salmon

1200 Portions Coleslaw

1200 Portions Pasta Salad

1200 Desserts excluding Strawberries

1750 Bread Rolls

1500 Scones & Jam

700lb Strawberries

150 Gallons Milk

150 Kilos English Bacon

84 Loins of Pork

Also at this year's event is the Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show, looking set to have a record breaking number of entries. The Show has a new home in the Flower Hall due its continued success and expansion. It will be filled with products ranging from butter and cream to yogurt and cheese, all battling to win the coveted title: Supreme Champion Dairy Product.

Around the showground, attractions include live polo demonstration matches, the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team, the Royal Armouries exhibition, top-class show jumping and demonstrations of country skills, along with thousands of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs.

Tickets on the gate cost £16 for adults with £12 for concessions, £7 for children aged five to 18 years old, and £42 for a family ticket (admitting two adults and three children). There are savings on tickets purchased before 6 July.

Parking is free and extensive, but please note dogs are not allowed on the showground. The ticket hotline number is 01423 541222, or the general show telephone number is 01423 541000. If you are traveling by train and buy rail and show tickets in advance, there are further discounts available - please call the Northern Helpline on 0845 600 1159. A free and frequent shuttle bus operates from Harrogate Railway Station to the showground for all three days of the event.

For further information on this year's show, check out the website at www.greatyorkshireshow.org.