Offering a bigger menu to readers

Apr 21 2008 by Jane Hall, The Journal

MORE than 60 local produce retailers and suppliers have signed-up to exhibit at what promises to be the gastronomic extravaganza of the year.

And such has the interest been in The Journal’s first ever food and drink festival that scores more artisan producers have added their names to a reserve list in the hope of securing a last minute pitch at the day-long event on April 26.

The Journal was only offered the chance by the National Trust to run a food and drink event tied in to our Taste North East England Campaign to encourage people to buy local, use local and eat local, two weeks ago.

It had initially been intended to run a glorified farmers’ market at the Trust’s 400-acre Gibside estate near Rowlands Gill. But support for The Journal’s Taste initiative launched at the end of January has been such that people from all sectors have been queuing up to ensure the event is a true celebration of the finest produce on offer anywhere in Britain.

A quintet of local celebrity chefs are giving their time for free to host a series of cookery demonstrations. Also on hand will be Hairy Biker Simon King from Prudhoe, Northumberland, who like the other chefs who have signed-up, is also giving his time for nothing in support of The Journal Taste North East England Campaign.

Meanwhile Waitrose’s Hexham store has stepped in to sponsor the cookery demonstration marquee that will house the Northumbria Larder mobile kitchen complete with camera and plasma screens, with stalls coming from City Centre Partnership, which runs the revamped Sunday market on Newcastle Quayside.

But the event would be nothing without local food and drink producers. And as word has got out about The Journal Taste North East England Campaign Food and Drink Festival in association with the National Trust, the phones have never stopped ringing with people desperate to be involved.

An initial target of 20 exhibitors has now swelled to a staggering 61 showcasing the best food and drink available between the Rivers Tweed and Tees.

Many of the stallholders – like Heighley Gate Garden centre near Morpeth which has a local produce food hall, Lintz Hall Farm near Burnopfield and Strathmore Hebridean Lamb from Medomsley – are showing for the first time at such an event.

Scores more other exhibitors are making rare public appearances, attracted to the festival by The Journal’s high profile Taste campaign and the involvement of the National Trust. The day, which runs from 10.30am-3.30pm, will also feature a small selection of craft activities and face painting for children running alongside the main food and drink festival.

Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “We have been bowled over by the response we have had to the food and drink festival. It is true to say that in the beginning we never envisaged anything more than a glorified farmers’ market, but once word got out about the event it seemed to take wings.

“We have gone from an initial 20 food and drink stallholders to 61, with the added attractions of Hairy Biker Simon King making an appearance, craft activities, chef cookery demonstrations, a wine and beer marquee and music all set against the stunning backdrop of the 400-acre Gibside estate.

“Incredible as it is, it will have been only three weeks from inception to the actual event. But it shows the support there is out there for local produce and our own buy local, use local, eat local campaign, that this has been achievable.

“So many people have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into this festival, from the National Trust to staff here at The Journal, local food and drink firms and, of course, the region’s top artisan producers. Our sole aim from the beginning has been to get The Journal’s buy local, use local, eat local message out there and encourage retailers, consumers, hoteliers and restaurateurs across the North East to put their money back into the regional economy.

“I can’t think of a better or more high profile way to achieve that aim than this food and drink festival. It promises to be a spectacular day of gastronomic delights for all and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible.”

From farmers to chefs, the festival will whet your appetite by tasting, selling and cooking game and fish, tasty soups and bread, spicy sauces and succulent meats, tempting puddings and homemade sweets, connoisseur chocolates and luxury preserves, fresh vegetables and free range eggs. There will even be a wine and beer marquee featuring 10 of the region’s best brewers and wine importers and merchants.

Located on the Green Close next to the Bowes-Lyon family’s ruined ancestral home, Gibside is without a doubt one of the grandest backdrops that any food and drink festival could boast.

Sadie Parker, acting communications and marketing manager for the National Trust in the region, said: “The National Trust is delighted to be hosting The Journal Taste North East England Campaign Food and Drink Festival at Gibside. So much delicious food is produced in the North East, and to be able to bring a lot of it together and have it cooked by some of the region’s best known chefs is fantastic. This certainly will be one of the best opportunities you will ever have to taste the delicacies on offer in the region.”

Special offer

THE Journal Taste North East England Campaign Food and Drink Festival in association with the National Trust will take place at Gibside, Rowlands Gill, on April 26 between 10.30am-3.30pm. Hairy Biker Simon King will be at the festival to meet stallholders and visitors between 11am-1pm.

Normal National Trust admission prices will apply, but keep buying your Journal as in the coming week we will be printing a two-for-one entrance voucher to Gibside for use on April 26 only.