Taste Festival provides a feast for MetroCentre shoppers
Nov 2 2009 by Katharine Everitt, The Journal
Rachel Gilbert, business development manager of the Gateshead-based business, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. It’s gone better than I thought and the launch of the pashtis has been phenomenal.”
Peter Craig, director of Gateshead- based Beckleberry’s ice cream and patisserie makers, said the festival helped to further raise the profile of the company, which has won 52 awards.
“It gives people a chance to see the range of produce we do, and has been great for raising our profile.”
Some of the other stallholders showing off the region’s fine fare included Kielder Organic Meats of Dunterley Farm, The Proof of the Pudding of Alnwick, chilli growers Trees Can’t Dance of Coanwood, Riverford organic veg box scheme, Northumberland Cheese Company of Blagdon and Coquet Chocolates of Rothbury.
Among those turning up the heat in the mobile kitchen was The Journal’s food columnist Bill Oldfield, owner of Oldfields restaurants in Newcastle and Durham, who cooked a steak and kidney pud using locally-sourced meat.
Food writer Maunika Gowardhan, of Starters and Spice, rustled up a green chicken curry, while comic cookery duo Two Ladies of a Certain Age – aka ex-Coronation Street actor Ian Mercer and teacher Helen Moran – travelled back in time to reproduce 18th Century recipes such as baked ham and Alsace pork torte, and Georgian fruit salad.
Other chefs included Simon Devine from Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel, Mark Tamburrini from Malmaison, Newcastle, Bob Arora from Sachins, Newcastle, and Rhian Cradock from the Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill.
Barry Turnbull, general manager of the Metrocentre, said the festival had been a great success and very popular with shoppers.
He said: “It’s been a marvellous event and we’re delighted by the support of our customers who have travelled to see us.
“There’s been a wide range of local produce and it’s been great to see what’s on the doorstep. We were really happy to host an event like this. The range of local food and drink producers on show is clearly appreciated by our customers.”
