THIS months cover star is the popular and likeable artist Charlie Evans from Northumberland.

Painter Charlie has written no fewer than nine books on how to paint and notched up hundreds of TV appearances, including two series on the Discovery Channel in recent years. Those with good memories will recall his 'how to' painting series here in Culture magazine which started in 2005.

Maybe less well known is the fact that Charlie once worked in catering for 22 years, principally as a chef, and owned several eateries. Here he kicks off a new series for our Taste section combining his two great loves in life; good food and painting.

Each month he will sample and review the food at a gastropub or restaurant in our region and also rustle up a watercolour of a view from said establishment, including tips on how to recreate the painting. Readers also have the chance to win the finished stunning watercolour; this months valued at s220.

In this issue Charlie reviews dinner at his local, the Cook and Barker pub at Newton on the Moor in Northumberland; see page 50 for his own inimitable take on his visit.

Elsewhere, we launch our new occasional Food For Thought platform, which this month kicks off with naturopath Rumana Zahn.

Catch her thoughts on the medicinal benefits of foods on page 55.

And we also have our usual tasty platforms devoted to all things food and drink. Enjoy.

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