Celebrity chef launches New Watford Market

In a series of short cooking demonstrations, Rosemary showed Watford a number of cooking techniques from how to cook an even, crispy duck breast to how to chiffonade a cabbage. Even Watford's elected mayor tried her hand at one of Rosemary's famous recipes.

All of the recipes incorporated fresh meat, fish and vegetables which are all available at the market.

Rosemary said: "It is fantastic to be here and the atmosphere is second to none.But the most important thing for me is local produce and local people. This is what it's all about - supporting all the local products.

"Always use local before you go global. I would recommend anyone to come down here."

Dorothy Thornhill, Elected Mayor for Watford, said: "It was a really exciting day today, I've looked forward to this. It seems a long time ago since I had a big petition from residents wanting a new indoor market, and here we are.

"A market, especially in a market town, is the heart of the community. Already the market traders are saying they're taking more money than they did in the last two years at the other market, but the real crunch about this market is about the regeneration of the top of the town.

"Following on from our new successful works, this is a bit in the middle to pull people up to this end of the town, and already people are saying there's a buzz about it.

"When we get the Intu centre expanded and our new IMAX cinema and new shops, our High Street will be complete, and it will be the kind of High Street that Watford residents deserve.

The highlight of Ms Thornhill's day was cooking with Rosemary.

She said: "I would never call myself a cook, so she has the same job with me as she used to have in her TV series Ladette to Lady."

The launch event also had a Grand Prize Wheel competition, a Sweetie Sue's spooky trail, Halloween arts and crafts and Trick or Treat with traders.