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The Barrels Ale House proves itself an acclaimed star act

WHEN JIMI Hendrix watched me wee. Not a headline to rival Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster, but an observation from a Northumberland pub. Read

Arami restaurant in Leazes Park Road, Newcastle

Arami, Leazes Park Road, Newcastle

YOU can’t blame climate change for every seasonal shake-up. For example, the timing of Easter results from mysterious calculations relating to the number of full moons after a certain date. Read

Have we found the Holy Grail of wine industry?

PINOT Noir is the Holy Grail of the wine industry. The great black grape from Burgundy is so difficult to get right, but its best wines are incomparably delicious. Because good Pinot Noir is in short supply it can be expensive. It’s no surprise that this has driven grape growers the world over to see if they can come up with the goods. Read

The dishes that made us great

MAYBE I’d have been better off if it hadn’t happened, but I bumped into an old girlfriend recently. And both “bumped into” and “old” are apt words as she was considerably bigger than how I remember her and much older than I expected. Read

Raising a glass to toast our festival

VISITORS to the first ever Journal food and drink festival can toast its success by raising a glass or two of wine or beer. Read

It’s time we shouted about what we have

KING of the culinary road, Simon King, has thrown his weight behind a major food and drink festival organised by The Journal. Read

Chef’s date with royalty

HE left school at 16 with no qualifications and no hopes for the future. Now Newcastle-born Kenny Atkinson is a Michelin-starred chef who’s been invited to dinner by the Queen. Read

Teaching children origin of their food

THOUSANDS of North East youngsters are reaping the benefits of a year- long national initiative to teach them more about healthy eating and where food comes from. Read

Ingredients used by Rhian Cradock (game) at The Feathers Inn, in Hedley on the Hill

Feathers flies high in food league

Most pub landlords would be happy to survive their first 12 months in business. Rhian Cradock and partner Helen Greer have instead cooked up an award-winning storm since taking over one of Northumberland’s remoter watering holes. Read

Cliff-top pub inspires life support from devoted carers

IT’S the day after the clocks tick forward; the narrow-angled evening sun sparkles off St Mary’s lighthouse, the sky is incredibly blue, a freighter glides silently past the North Tyneside shore; British Summer Time has arrived. Read

Cool white that’s still got plenty going for it

HAS Chardonnay had its place in the sun? Around the world, its stock has fallen so low that some wine lovers delight in asking for ABC – anything but Chardonnay. Read

Racecourse festival to mark Grand National

NEWCASTLE Racecourse is hosting a Grand National Beer Festival race day tomorrow at High Gosforth Park to coincide with the running of the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree. Read

The Rat Inn, Anick, Northumberland

THE Green Room was a top-notch restaurant. When I heard it had closed, I regretted not going there more often. Read

Racecourse festival to mark Grand National

NEWCASTLE Racecourse is hosting a Grand National Beer Festival race day tomorrow at High Gosforth Park to coincide with the running of the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree. Read

Cool white that’s still got plenty going for it

HAS Chardonnay had its place in the sun? Around the world, its stock has fallen so low that some wine lovers delight in asking for ABC – anything but Chardonnay. Read

Reality – alive and kicking

I’VE been running my own businesses for 11 years now and, believe me, the ups and downs certainly teach you a thing or two about life – real life. Read

Citrus crepe with caramelised baby pears and vanilla ice cream

WE get baby pears in cans from our delicatessen supplier but you could use ordinary pears, peeled, cut into pieces and poached in a light sugar syrup until tender. Read

Fred Parker of the Tap and Spile in North Shields drinking beer at the 32nd Newcastle Beer Festival

Raising a glass to great local beers

THE barrels were full and the pumps were at the ready to treat the region’s bar industry to a taste of its own medicine yesterday. Read

Emily Russelli at the launch of the 32nd Newcastle Beer Festival at Newcastle University Students' Union

Roll out the barrel for great ales

THE doors will open tonight on the annual homage to all that’s great in North East brewing. Read

The pies have it for food festival

A NORTH East garden centre is giving people the chance to sample a taste of Northumberland with a six-week food festival committed to supporting local producers. Read