Taste festival has the flavour of success

Sep 27 2010 by Katharine Everitt, The Journal

TASTY treats from around the region were on the menu for visitors to The Journal's Taste food and drink festival at the weekend.

The gastro and culinary extravaganza, held at the Metrocentre in Gateshead for the second year running, attracted thousands of food fans.

Everything from fresh meats, cheeses and eggs to ice creams, cupcakes and alcoholic tipples were on sale from the North East’s artisan producers.

Some 31 stallholders descended on Exhibition Square for the two-day event.

Among the exhibitors were Allendale Brewery, Beckleberry’s, Hot Stuff Chilli Company, Sunny Hill Farm Free Range Eggs, Wheelbirks, Davenport’s Chocolates and JR Jams, to name a few.

One exhibitor, Joanne Hales, of Cupcake and Co of South Shields, sold 400 cupcakes in the first morning.

She said: “It’s been brilliant. It’s our first time here. The chocolate cupcakes have sold best.”

Nicola Robinson, a product demonstrator for Trees Can’t Dance of Haltwhistle, said she had sold three-quarters of her chilli-based sauces, jams and marinades by Saturday afternoon.

As at previous Taste food festivals, the live cooking displays were a big draw.

Kenny Atkinson, local celebrity chef and two-time winner of BBC’s Great British Menu, attracted a crowd of 200 people, with his culinary display. The chef, from Rockliffe Hall hotel in Darlington, whetted appetites with his demonstration of pan-fried North Sea halibut with caramelised apple and parsnip puree.

He said: “It’s been good fun, a really good turnout. I wanted to use flavours that were in season. People are often scared of cooking with fish so I wanted to show how easy it is. It’s often easier than cooking meat.”

Also taking part in cookery demos over the weekend were Andrew Laurie, of the Ozone Restaurant at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall, chef/patron Bob Arora of Sachins Indian restaurant in Newcastle and Lee Campbell of Starters & Puds in Newcastle.

The food festival marks the seventh such event under The Journal’s Taste banner since it launched the “buy, use, eat local” campaign to encourage consumers, retailers, hoteliers and restaurateurs to favour foodstuffs grown, reared, sown and made in the region.

Karen Carr, the Metrocentre’s marketing manager, said she would be happy to support the event again next year.

She said: “This year’s Taste festival has been a huge hit with our shoppers; they have enjoyed the experience of sampling and seeing for themselves just what is available locally.

“The wide range of local produce on show has also given shoppers the opportunity to try new products and to see first hand the skills of some of the region’s top chefs, learning new culinary skills. A great adventure for all and one that we will repeat again next year, continuing with our support for everything that is great regionally.”

Brian Aitken, editor of The Journal, extended his thanks to suppliers, producers, chefs, organisers and all those involved with this year’s festival.

He said: “Once again, it was a terrific turnout over the weekend. It was great to see so many visitors out in force supporting The Journal’s buy, use, eat local message.”