Chefs served up platters of culinary cuisine to mark the launch of a food festival set to be the biggest of its kind in Europe.

Managers, owners and chefs from 15 of Brighton and Hove's top restaurants gave a taste of what will be on offer at the Brighton Food and Drink Lover's Festival, running from June 12 to 22.

The event will try to involve as many of the city's restaurants and bars as it can.

Food and drink venues will be running events throughout the week.

Also on the menu will be a week-long food film festival, a wine tasting and barbecue on the beach, cocktail exhibitions and demonstrations by chefs.

There will be food markets specialising in French, German, Thai and Moroccan fare and a farmers market.

As well as promoting what is available in the city, organisers hope the festival will get people interested in joining the trade.

There are said to be more restaurants in Brighton and Hove per head than than anywhere in the UK outside London and it is hoped the festival will encourage more people to eat out.

Roger Marlowe, chairman of Brighton and Hove Hoteliers' Association and chairman of the festival, said: "For months you can go to a different restaurant every night in the city and have a nice meal.

"We want to tell the whole nation what we have got here.

"We have been writing to all the 600 restaurants and bars in Brighton and Hove and inviting them to join us.

"The city is already a mecca for visitors and those of us in the local food and drink trade want to show we can add a new dimension to its image.

"The programme of events promises to be spectacular, fun and educational. There will be something for all ages and pockets."

Nicky Rohl, owner of Moshi Moshi in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, said: "It is just a brilliant opportunity to promote Brighton and to promote our restaurant.

"We are in a unique situation because there are still quite a few people, I would say 50 per cent, who do not know much about Japanese food.

"We want to get people who do not normally go out to a restaurant to go to at least one."

Louis Symeonides, general manger of Mexican restaurant Santa Fe in East Street, said: "It celebrates the diversity of food available in Brighton.

"It is an international, cosmo-politan city and we need to celebrate that."

Ermanno Taverna, owner of Al Forno in East Street and Al Duomo in Pavilion Buildings, said: "It puts Brighton in the news and gets people out the house and away from the television."