One of Sheffield’s top chefs will be cooking up a mouth watering festive menu for party goes in the city this Christmas.

Gastronomic expert Mark Mortimer, head chef for City Hall Sheffield, has created a selection of culinary delights using the finest ingredients for guests to enjoy at the City Hall Sheffield's popular Snowball event on Thursday, December 17.

Mark was thrust into the culinary limelight last year when he cooked live for group of more than 40 people as part of Yorkshire South Tourism's Conference Ambassadors scheme.

In the style of a TV cookery programme, Mark showed off his cooking skills by taking the ambassadors on a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect Christmas dinner, which included courses of oak smoked salmon and crème fraiche tian, roast turkey paupiette and milk chocolate and cognac infused roulade.

All these dishes will feature as options on the menu for the Snowball event, which will also feature entertainment from the Acoustic Angels.

The City Hall is one of 14 venues in Sheffield International Venues’ (SIV) portfolio, which also includes Ponds Forge Sheffield, Don Valley Stadium Sheffield and the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EIS Sheffield).

Dominic Stokes, City Hall Sheffield and SIV Conferencing and Business Events General Manager, said: “We have always taken immense pride in the quality of our venues' catering services which is why we are proud to have Mark, who is one of the city’s top chefs, working with us to create a fantastic festive menu for the Snowball event.”

Snowball is just one event in a cracking range of festive group parties, lunches and private party night packages created by SIV for Christmas 2009.

On Friday, December 18, SIV’s Ponds Forge Sheffield will be serving Christmas lunches between 12pm and 6pm

At SIV’s Beauchief and Tapton golf courses, groups can combine a round of golf or unique team building session with a hearty Christmas feast in cosy function rooms. With PGA qualified golf professionals on hand to provide team activities and games, it offers a Christmas party with a difference.

Active golfers can also enjoy a round of golf before a three course Christmas meal in picturesque surroundings of Beauchief and Tapton throughout December.

For more information about any of the events:

Tel: 0870 121 3690