Taste on the Tyne festival goes down well
Sep 29 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal
THERE was something for everyone at The Journal’s Taste on the Tyne Food and Drink Festival yesterday with a huge range of produce from some of the North East’s top suppliers.
Organisers of the event, which was sponsored by Tesco, were expecting thousands of visitors to flock to Newcastle’s quayside to sample the region’s finest food and drink.
Stephen Patterson, of the Newcastle City Centre Partnership, said: “The festival has been fantastic and has had a really good response. We’re expecting around 8,000 people to attend.
“I think this is something that can grow as the North East has a fantastic supply of local food and markets such as this are a great opportunity to bring the produce from the country to the city.”
Mother-of-three, Jill Self, who founded the Simple Soups company from her home in Bellingham, Northumberland, was one of the many local food business people giving away samples. She said: “I think it’s fantastic that The Journal is supporting local food and drink. Healthy, wholesome local food is definitely something that is growing in popularity.”
As well as stalls selling everything from chocolate to cheese, a series of cookery demonstrations saw visitors learn how to make the most of the North East’s fantastic food.
Belinda Ramsey and son Matthew, seven, from Dinnington, Newcastle, were among the many people browsing the festival’s offerings.
The 43-year-old said: “We’ve came here especially today because we really enjoy the different foods and it’s a great way to support the local economy.
“There’s quite a lot on offer, so we’ll probably spend quite a bit of time trying to decide what to buy.”
The event was the latest part of The Journal’s Taste campaign which aims to encourage consumers, retailers, hoteliers and restaurateurs to look to the North East economy when buying their food and drink.
Doug Wilson, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: “Tesco was delighted to sponsor Taste on the Tyne, which was such a success.
“It was great to see so many local suppliers. Tesco already has an excellent working relationship with some of them and through the Taste events we have been able to identify other producers who, we hope, will soon be supplying food and drink to our stores in the North East.”
