Food Trail Essentials May/June 19

FOOD TRA iL

Xxxxxxxx

essentials

ISSUE 5 • MAY/JUNE 2019

Feel-good food MOOD-BOOSTING MENUS AND

cooking classes

Brekkie bites RECIPES FOR THAT

get-up-and-go FEELING

Meals with meaning LOCAL NAMES SHARE THEIR FOOD

love stories 1

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

OPENING SUMMER 2019

A NEW

destination IN FINE DINING

Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 3ET | hello@grantleyhall.co.uk | +44(0) 1765 620070 |

www.grantleyhall.co.uk

The Essentials

Welcome

ISSUE 5 • MAY/JUNE 2019

04 Rustle up some fun Get stuck in to some of the region’s tastiest cooking classes

08 Morning bites Inspiring breakfast recipes for that get-up-and-go feeling

12 Feel the love Tempting date night destinations to fall for

12

16 Let’s get together Show-stopping restaurants for life’s special moments

18 Kitchen kit

Food, glorious food…

This year’s tasty edition is a love letter to food. Food, glorious food. In today’s world of fad diets, carb-cutting, protein shakes and intermittent fasting, it can be easy to forget how much food should excite, uplift and move us - and bring us all together. It is, or should be, a celebration - one of life’s joys. And I hope that this mouthwatering little magazine can remind you of that.

Within its pages we’ll be uncovering the best places to enjoy feel-good food with your loved ones, from special occasion feasts, to cosy date night suppers and must-try cooking classes to boost wellbeing sprinkled with food love stories from local names. And because food is also an expression of culture and tradition, we’ve thrown in a few inspiring recipes too, celebrating simple ingredients from around the globe and the most important meal of the day - the humble brekkie.

So, kick-back and relax as we treat you to a flavour-packed reminder of just how great food can be - especially up here in the North East. Read on and hopefully you’ll be inspired to feast it up and fall in love with food all over again, whether at home or away, with the people closest to you.

Dreamy decor and cool interiors inspo for the heart of the home

21 Specials’ board Delicious news from the region’s food and drink scene

22 Food for thought Words of wisdom from big-name foodies

Jessica Laing, editor Photography Sean Elliott Photography, www.seanelliottphotography.co.uk

If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Claire Graham: claire@remembermedia.co.uk / 07528 713016

Remember Media Ltd, e.volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2019 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, April 2019, Wedding Essentials is published annually by Remember Media Ltd.

3

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Get cooking

Rustle up some fun The recipe for better mental health?

Some say it’s in the kitchen. Here, we uncover some of the region’s top, most relaxing, cookery schools…

THE COOKERY SCHOOL AT THE GRAND, YORK Chic, striking, convivial… taking part in a cooking class at The Grand feels like a fun evening out with friends - with added good mood food! The 2,500 square-foot school is a brand new, state-of-the-art spot where foodies with a love of international cooking and flavours can rustle up mouthwatering meals and stir up plenty of positive vibes. Current culinary highlights include dedicated Curry Nights, Tasty Thai experiences and Around East Asia evenings, perfect for those who aren’t afraid of bit of spice, plus bread, pastry, pie and pasta-making classes for all abilities. grandyork.co.uk

Kitchens needn’t always be frantic places in which frazzled cooks stir up last-minute meals. They can also be soothing sanctuaries, relaxing spaces, where friends and family gather together to create feel-good food that nourishes the mind and feeds the soul.

With recent studies suggesting that preparing a home-cooked meal with our own bare hands can have positive effects on our wellbeing, we say there’s no time like the present to dig out the pots and pans, don the apron and get stuck in - whether at home or away.

SWINTON PARK COOKERY SCHOOL, RIPON If you’re in need of fresh, country air and sorry-there’s-no-signal time, then consider Swinton Park Cookery School - one of the most relaxing schools we’ve ever had the pleasure of cooking in.

Those behind the dreamy open kitchen, housed in a converted Georgian stable wing opposite Swinton Park Hotel, are passionate about local, seasonal produce and so grab their produce right from the Swinton estate, which sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

The nearby four-acre walled garden provides a ready source of fresher-than-fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs for guests to cook with, while the wider estate offers the likes of venison, rabbit, smoked trout and game. The Cookery School runs a packed, but serene, programme of practical half-day and full-day classes, shining a light on everything from baking and dessert-making, to seafood masterclasses and South East Asian, Middle Eastern, Italian and French cooking. swintonestate.com

The Grand

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

4

Get cooking

Mr & Mrs Cook classes for couples. Cooking takes place in an old converted barn on Grinkle Farm, a charming working site owned by Sarah’s brother, Richard, and her mother grows all the veggies and herbs used in the classes. archescookeryschool.co.uk

Feathers Inn

THE GLASSHOUSE AT WYNYARD HALL, STOCKTON-ON-TEES Throughout the year, lots of tasty, easy-going foodie classes take place within Wynyard’s glittering Glasshouse - most of which are inspired by what’s growing in the nearby edible garden. Retreat to this bright and airy space for lots of herbal tea and relaxing crash courses in pasta-making, cosy Christmas pud masterclasses and canapés and cocktails workshops. wynyardhall.co.uk

FEATHERS INN COOKERY SCHOOL, STOCKSFIELD Don’t let the classroom environment fool you! Run by a couple of chilled-out chefs who prefer to focus on simple, fuss-free ingredients and easy-to-make recipes, every class at Feathers Inn Cookery School is go-at-your-own-pace, deliciously laid-back and confidenceboosting. Learn how to get the most out of your meats and poultry, create timeless bakes for Sunday afternoons and special occasions, have a go at making a variety of breads, experiment with seasonal ingredients and dishes, or explore vegan and vegetarian cooking. thefeathers.net

BLACKFRIARS COOKERY SCHOOL, NEWCASTLE Classes at Blackfriars are exciting and uplifting - perfect for groups of friends or work colleagues looking to let loose and have fun in the kitchen. Muddle your own cocktails with the help of master mixologists, make your own show-stopping canapés for your next dinner party, create your very own blistering-good pizzas at one the school’s renowned Pizza and Prosecco nights, learn how to temper chocolate and make soft-centred truffles in time for Valentine’s Day, or go head-to-head against other groups of chums as part of a Ready Steady Cook experience. blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

LINNELS FARM, HEXHAM Cooking in the serene surroundings of Linnels Farm is always a treat. Lying just two miles south of Hexham, the pretty-as-a-picture site is nestled in 20 acres of sprawling meadows and woodland, rich with well-kept gardens, lush vegetable plots and gorgeous riverside walkways. The cookery school itself is a converted dairy, in which horticulturalist and gardening goddess, Karen Phillips, delivers chilled-out courses alongside well-known chef Andy Snell. Here you can do all sorts, from learning how to make your own chutneys and jams, prepare your own alfresco BBQ dishes for summer, master affordable one-pot wonders (great for students), grow your veg and rustle up ‘eggcellent’ suppers. linnelsfarm.com

Blackfriars

THE MALTON COOKERY SCHOOL, NORTH YORKSHIRE Malton Cookery School brings the fun-factor, combining expert guidance with stylish, homely surroundings in which you’re free to get your hands dirty and learn a few tips and tricks along the way.

The school specialises in game, seafood and baking, so go with what you fancy, but we’re quite partial to a bit of sweetness when it’s time to celebrate! Head to one of the school’s baking classes and create all kinds of yummy home comforts, from Yorkshire curd tart to fine French classics like macaroons and decadent chocolate fondant. talbotmalton.co.uk

LOOK OUT FOR... LIFE KITCHEN COOKERY SCHOOL, SUNDERLAND Sunderland-born food writer and stylist, Ryan Riley, has been taking the foodie world by storm with his new, heartfelt initiative, Life Kitchen, which helps people going through and recovering from cancer treatment fall in love with food again.

And now, he’s opening the very first Life Kitchen Cookery School - on home turf. The brand new site, in Mowbray Park Lodge, Sunderland, is due to open its doors this year, offering up free cooking classes for cancer patients whose sense of taste has been diminished by treatment like chemotherapy. Think quick and simple recipes showcasing exciting and unusual flavour combos to wake up the tastebuds. Delish!

For updates, follow @LifeKitchen on Twitter

ARCHES COOKERY SCHOOL, NORTH YORK MOORS It’s a family affair over at Arches Cookery School - and so you can bet the atmosphere is as welcoming and as cosy as can be. Sarah, who heads up all of Arches’ courses, is one joyous teacher, with a library of stories from her 20-something year career as a personal chef to the stars and her mouthwatering classes are as inviting as they get, inspired by her globetrotting adventures. Think gourmet entertaining, Thai masterclasses, sausage-making, easy suppers and Italian, Moroccan and North African cooking, as well as special

5

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Food love stories

The best cook you know…

Gareth Ward, Chef Patron at Ynyshir in Mid Wales.

MY LIFE IN FOOD:

The food you turn to when you need some comfort…

Richard Allen

The food you could never give up…

Cheese and beans on toast every time.

The food you always need in your fridge…

Good quality salted butter. It’s something I really need in my life.

Dark chocolate. I always sneak a handful of the stuff from the pastry cupboard at work.

What food means to you…

EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE ORANGERY, ROCKLIFFE HALL

For me, eating is something that is universal, regardless of background.

Everyone understands the language of food.

A meal that takes you back to childhood…

ROCKLIFFEHALL.COM

Freshly-baked bread, straight from the oven. It takes me back to my childhood, standing next to my father in our bakery in Dorset.

The food that brings you the greatest joy…

I love a good curry. The whole romance of the spices and aromas coming together as it slowly bubbles away is mesmerising for me.

The food that represents where you come from…

Seafood is a big thing for me. Growing up on the south coast, I used to love crabbing in Poole Quay, luring for mackerel at Chesil Beach and wreck fishing for large cod.

Your most memorable meal…

Anything cooked by my mum.

Your favourite meal of the day and why…

For me, breakfast is very hard to beat. A good old full English is a great start to any day.

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

6

A Taste Of Luxury...

Surrounded by the grandeur of Wynyard Hall is The Wellington Restaurant - a snug hideaway that takes you on a culinary journey, combining refined flavours and textures with the highest quality, seasonal ingredients. The menu is rooted in the very soil it stands on, offering dishes created using ingredients foraged from The Gardens and surrounding 150-acre estate. The chefs work alongside an experienced team of gardeners to create sustainable, home-grown produce that firmly reflects the kitchen’s ethos.

THE WELLINGTON

Wynyard Hall | 01740 644811| Tees Valley, TS22 5NF

NEW CONCEPT FINE DINING SA LT B U R N BY T H E S E A 01 2 87 62 2 1 79

WWW.BROCKLEYHALLHOTEL.COM

Morning bites

BREKKIE BITES Satisfying breakfast recipes to get your day off to the best start, inspired by countries and cultures from around the globe…

“One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast.”

ROBERT A. HEINLEIN

AÇAÍ BOWL BRAZIL Preparation time: 10 minutes Serves: 1

Drinks and Fruit: Açaí Bowl (Brazil) Photography: Haarala Hamilton

INGREDIENTS: 1 (100g) pack frozen açaí pulp, cut into pieces 1 frozen banana, peeled and sliced 1 tablespoon honey or agave 2 tablespoons coconut water, almond milk, orange juice, or your choice of nut milk, juice, or water 4 tablespoons granola (optional) 2 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional) Fresh sliced fruit, such as banana slices, mango and berries, for serving (optional) METHOD: In a blender, combine the açaí, frozen banana, honey and coconut water. Blend until smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and, if using, top with granola, shredded coconut and sliced fruit.

Perfect for warm summer mornings FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

8

DID YOU KNOW? In the 1970s, açaí pulp was freshly-squeezed by migrants of the Amazonian delta to Northern Brazilian cities.

In the 1980s, JiuJitsu master, Carlos Gracie, froze the pulp (for a longer shelf-life) and added it to the training diet of the fighters in his gyms.

In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the frozen pulp was sweetened and served like ice cream.

Across Brazil, Hawaii and Southern California, açaí is now served in a bowl topped with granola, coconut and fresh fruit, often in beautifullyarranged patterns.

Morning bites

PANCAKES WITH BUTTER AND HONEY MOROCCO

we love

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus 2 hours resting time Cooking time: 40 minutes Makes: 8 pancakes INGREDIENTS: 2 cups (470 ml) warm water 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 2 teaspoons sugar 1 cup (165g) semolina flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose (plain) flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 eggs Butter, for serving Honey for serving METHOD: In a bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and pinch of sugar.

Set the mixture aside until the yeast is frothy, about 10 minutes. If the yeast doesn’t froth, check the expiration date.

You may have to start over with fresher yeast.

In a blender, combine the yeast mixture, both flours, baking powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, salt, and eggs. Blend until frothy.

Let it sit until bubbles form on the surface of the batter, for at least two hours.

Gently stir the mixture to incorporate the bubbles into the batter.

Pancakes: Pancakes with Butter and Honey (Morocco). Photography: Haarala Hamilton

Sweet weekend treat!

DID YOU KNOW? This Moroccan pancake, called baghrir, is similar to an English muffin or crumpet. It is defined by the many holes that form on its surface. Cooked on one side only, these plush pancakes are topped with butter and honey and eaten for breakfast or as a snack. In the south of Morocco, baghrir is served with amlou, a mixture of ground almonds, argan oil, honey, and sugar.

9

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Pour in 1/4 cup of batter. Bubbles on the surface of the pancake should begin to appear immediately.

Cook until the pancake is opaque and the batter has cooked through, for four minutes. Do not flip.

Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve with butter and honey.

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Morning bites

Stuffed and Fried: Corn Fritters with Lox and Poached Eggs (Australia). Photography: Haarala Hamilton

Tasty get-up-and-go fuel

GO HERE: Australian restaurateur and food-lover, Bill Granger, opened his first restaurant, Granger & Co, in Sydney in 1993. It quickly became famous for the best scrambled eggs and ricotta hotcakes in town (check out our front cover), served at a communal table. In 2011, he opened his first London café, in Notting Hill. He now owns 18 eateries across London, Sydney, Seoul, Honolulu, and Japan. grangerandco.com

“I guess it always comes back to that first, allimportant meal of the day - breakfast. One of my earliest memories of taking it into my own hands was making breakfast-in-bed for my parents when I was about nine years old.

I remember painstakingly cutting up fresh fruit and attempting to make pancakes. There was probably some toast with Vegemite, too.”

BILL GRANGER

CORN FRITTERS WITH LOX AND POACHED EGGS AUSTRALIA Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Makes: 4 fritters INGREDIENTS: 1 egg 1/2 cup (120 ml) full-fat milk 2/3 cup (85g) all-purpose (plain) flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

1 cup (145g) corn kernels, fresh or canned and drained Salt and freshly-ground pepper 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 poached eggs 4 slices of lox (smoked salmon)

the oil is ready to fry by adding a small drop of batter into the oil.

If it sizzles, it’s ready.

Spoon about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the batter into the oil to form two fritters at a time.

METHOD: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk. Slowly add the flour and baking powder and whisk until smooth. Stir in the corn and season with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Test if

Lightly fry on both sides until golden, about two minutes per side.

Transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve the corn fritters topped with lox and poached eggs.

10

Recipes taken from Breakfast: The Cookbook by Emily Elyse Miller, published by Phaidon, May 17, 2019 phaidon.com

BBUS I NEESS S S LU LUNC U SIN N C HHE ES S

Impress your your clients, join your colleagues for a for a Impress clients,oror join your colleagues great value, value, beautifully cooked lunch using local local great beautifully cooked lunch using British ingredients. ingredients.

British BUSINESS LUNCHES

Impress your clients, or join your colleagues for a great value, beautifully cooked lunch using local British DESTINATION DINING ATingredients.

THE TEES VALLEY'S ONLY Easily accessible from the A19RESTAURANT with a large, free on-site car park.

MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND AWARDED Set Lunch Menu 2 courses £17.95 / 3 courses £21.95.

Beautifully cooked food using local British ingredients Service 12pm-2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Superb selection of fine wines by the glass Traditional Sunday lunch

Easily accessible from the A19 with a large, free on-site car park.

Easily accessible from the A19 with a large, free on-site car park.

FILunch NE WI NE2 courses B Y TH E G/LA SS £21.95.

Set Menu £17.95 3 courses

Set Lunch Menu 2 courses £17.95 / 3 courses £21.95.

Service 12pm-2.30pm to Saturday.

Probably the best Tuesday selection of fine Service Tuesday to Saturday. wines12pm-2.30pm by the glass on Teesside.

The Pat

Tel: 01642 590300 | info@chadwicksmaltby.co.uk | www.chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

F I NE W I NE B Y TH E GLA S S

Impress your clients, or join your colleagues for a great value, beautifully cooked lunch using local British ingredients.

Probably the best selection of fine wines by the glass on Teesside.

Service 12pm-2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.

(Margau

Enjoy a glass with y EnjoyBar a The Pathfinders

Enjoy a glass with your meal or relax in Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG Traditional bar snacks The Pathfinders Bar. Tel: 01642 590300 | info@chadwicksmaltby.co.uk | www.chadwicksinnmaltb Lunchtime sandwiches

BU SINESS LU NCHES

Set Lunch Menu 2 courses £17.95 / 3 courses £21.95.

Including top Burgu Includin Puligny-Montrache Puligny(Margaux).

Including top Burgundies (Meursault, THE PATHFINDERS BAR Puligny-Montrachet) and Claret (Margaux).

Locally brewed hand-pulled ale Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG

Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG Tel: 01642 590300 | info@chadwicksmaltby.co.uk | www.chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

Easily accessible from the A19 with a large, free on-site car park.

FINE F INE WINE BYW Probabl Probably the best se wines by the glassbo wines

Including top Burgundies (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet) and Claret (Margaux).

Enjoy a glass with your meal or relax in The Pathfinders Bar.

Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG Tel: 01642 590300 | info@chadwicksmaltby.co.uk | www.chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

Date night dishes

Feel the

love

Our pick of the best, most romantic, date night spots for the region’s food-lovers…

The Patricia, Jesmond WHY WE LOVE IT: This affectionately-named bistro (named after chef Nick Grieves’s beloved grandmother) has won the hearts of the region’s food fanatics for its remarkably simple yet sublime - plates of food. The kind of gratifying, seductive grub that stays with you for days on end. What’s more, it’s also a picture-perfect date night restaurant; teeny-tiny and very intimate, with soft, low, moody lighting and flickering candlelight. Super romantic.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU: The menus champion only the best seasonal ingredients and change regularly, sometimes every other day, depending on what kind of fish, meat and veg its suppliers have on offer, to keep diners on their toes. Expect a mix of British, French, Italian and Mediterranean cooking; everything from tomato gazpacho and Lindisfarne oysters and lobster fusilli, to rare-breed pork belly with salsa verde and tender cod with lentils.

ORDER THIS: Our picks are the Brussels sprouts, smothered in velvety parmesan sauce with sticky onion jam, and the sweetand-stinky Époisses de Bourgogne cheese and preserved cherry sandwiches. For dessert, it has to be the fudgey homemade chocolate mousse, served as thick and as indulgent as ganache. the-patricia.com

Never underestimate the powers of date night! In today’s busy world, keeping the spark alive can be tough, but taking time out to enjoy a candlelit supper together, even if it’s only once or twice a month, can work wonders for your relationship. Time to throw the gladrags on, leave the kids at home, crack open a bottle of wine and reconnect!

The Golden Lion, Osmotherley WHY WE LOVE IT: Twinkling fairy lights, candles galore, roaring fires, comfort food… what’s not to fall in love with? Find this great date night spot in the sleepy village of Osmotherley, on the edge of the North York Moors.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU: The deliciously-simple menu celebrates home comforts, including freshly-caught fish and bowls of oozy risotto, fishcakes with chunky dripping chips and tender lamb with minted mash.

ORDER THIS: Deep-fried brie to start, or a bowl full of mussels in white wine and shallot cream sauce. The kitchen’s homemade chicken kiev is one of the most popular dishes on the menu, as is the salmon fishcakes. For dessert, consider the Bakewell tart. goldenlionosmotherley.co.uk

The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland WHY WE LOVE IT: The lovely Lord Crewe Arms has given the tucked-away area of Blanchland an injection of cool in recent years.

Today, it’s a super charming, chilled-out spot for couples to kick-back in and enjoy a romantic dinner. Take a leisurely stroll, hand in hand, around the village afterwards, if you’re visiting during the day.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU: Good-for-the-soul dishes that serve up that warm, fuzzy feeling, leaving you full up and content. If you and your other half are fans of traditional British grub, then it’s the place for you. Its hearty Sunday roasts, best enjoyed with a glass of vino, are out of this world and its fish and chips offering is very impressive indeed. The perfect Sunday date pit-stop if you ask us.

ORDER THIS: The braised lamb starter is a total triumph, as is the baked chicory tart with pickled garlic. For the main event, try the halibut fillet, or go for the breaded chicken schnitzel with fried egg and fries. To sweeten the deal, ask for two spoons and dig in to clementine cake with chocolate and ginger ice cream. lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

12

Date night dishes we love

The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland WHY WE LOVE IT: This handsome pub and restaurant is tucked away in the heart of Ponteland village, not far from Newcastle International Airport. Once Ponteland Castle, it boasts historic, rustic good looks (think wooden beamed ceilings, creaky floorboards, crackling fires and original 1830s fireplaces) and the food menus celebrate cosy, country pub favourites, brimming with traditional, feel-good flavours. The atmosphere is deliciously serene, whether you’re sitting in main dining area (which still only seats 35 guests), or upstairs in the super-intimate Minstrel Gallery.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU: The new a la carte menu is full of flavour and variety, with sophisticated plates like pigeon breast with smoked cheddar croquettes and honey and truffle and comforting bowls of venison mince and dumplings, wild mushroom risotto and pork wellington. For vegans, there’s a juicy plant-based burger option and cauliflower steak, too, with quinoa and potato and onion terrine.

ORDER THIS: Surrender to slow-cooked lamb shank with puy lentils, chive mash shallot jus and crispy onion rings - indulgent and oh-so satisfying. For pud, share the warm chocolate brownie, with Snickers ice cream and hot salted caramel sauce. theblackbirdponteland.co.uk

The Dining Room, Seaham Hall

Win

WHY WE LOVE IT: With two AA rosettes to its name, The Dining Room oozes opulence; sparkling golden chandeliers, plush velvet booths and a chic, sleek bar, reminiscent of the kind you find in the depths of cool Manhattan. Many hotel restaurants can lack decadence, but Seaham’s is pure luxury; dining here makes any night of the week feel special. Dining after dark here is our favourite; you’re free to truly unwind, when the twinkling lighting dims and the atmosphere soothes.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU: Contemporary British cuisine, created and served with impressive skill and imagination.

The kitchen is uber-committed to using and celebrating fresh, locally-sourced produce where possible and the team’s tasting menu does just that – on there you’ll find everything from Whitby Bay crab to dry-aged beef, sourced less than 90 minutes away.

ORDER THIS: Kick things off with scorched and smoked day boat mackerel, with earthy turnip and salted gooseberries for tang. For mains, we love the Goosenargh free-range duck with braised peas and blackcurrants. Pud-wise, prepare to fall in love with the British artisan cheese on offer, smeared on crusty oat cakes and squidgy fruit loaf. That, or the chocolate option, served with pickled cherries and crumbly pecan praline. seaham-hall.co.uk

5* dining experience set in the beautiful surroundings of Seaham Hall Dine on seasonal dishes that celebrate the unbeatable quality and taste of local producers. From the glittering 14 carat gold-plated chandeliers, to the fabulous Georgian windows that frame stunning views of the Vortex, the interior and ambience of The Dining Room draws inspiration from Lord Byron’s enchanting portrait, which hangs splendidly on the wall of the restaurant.

The prize: A dining experience for two in The Dining Room, a bottle of champagne on arrival with snacks in the bar, and a five-course tasting menu and matching wines per course.

TO ENTER OUR PRIZE DRAW:

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/win Closing date noon, 10 June 2019.

T&Cs apply, see website for details.

13

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Food Xxxxxxxx love stories

surroundings, but this completely knocked all my preconceptions out of the window. We ate 17 fabulous courses.

Your favourite meal of the day and why…

Brunch at the weekend and supper the rest of the week. Supper signifies the end of the day - a time to wind down and relax, hopefully with a glass of red wine!

The best cook you know…

Babs, who I taught with at Leiths School of Food and Wine. She’s a wonderful, natural cook. Her food is original, effortless and always delicious.

The food you turn to when you need some comfort…

Fish pie, Shepherd’s Pie (with cooked lamb mince) and slow-cooked stews made with tasty cheap cuts of meat, such as oxtail, cheeks and shin of beef.

The food you always need in your fridge…

Butter, cheese, root ginger, chillies, mustard, chorizo, homemade pesto, lemons and limes. With all of these, plus a few store cupboard ingredients, I can usually pull something out of the bag.

The food you could never give up…

Bread, eggs, marmite and vegetables. But I’d miss meat and poultry, too.

What food means to you…

MY LIFE IN FOOD:

It means everything. It’s my life and raison d’être (after my family, of course).

I think about food and eating all the time. As soon as one feast is over, I’m thinking about and planning the next.

JANELOVETT.COM

Jane Lovett NORTHUMBRIAN COOK, TUTOR AND FOOD WRITER

A meal that takes you back to childhood…

I was brought up on runner beans in white sauce and baked marrow, as was my mother, so I think of them as family recipes. My mother grew both and I do now too. I never tire of eating them!

The food that brings you the greatest joy…

A relaxed supper or Sunday lunch with my loved ones. Just a few people, good plain food, good wine and lots of good chat. You can’t beat it.

The food that represents where you come from…

Fresh, seasonal food. Living in the country and on a farm as I do, growing fruit and veg, foraging, buying locally-reared meat and locally-caught fish, as well as artisan bread and cheeses, is paramount for me. We’re so lucky that there’s no shortage of wonderful ingredients from the land and sea on our doorstep in north Northumberland.

Your most memorable meal…

The most recent was at The Raby Hunt, near Darlington. I don’t usually seek out Michelin-starred restaurants, preferring simpler food in more relaxed FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

14

Style Guide

Award-winning restaurant & hotel

‘An award winning restaurant and hotel nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire, offering gourmet cuisine prepared to perfection.

A truly magical experience that must be seen to be believed’ H O T E L

–

R E S T A U R A N T

–

W E D D I N G S

www.crabandlobster.co.uk Dishforth Road, Asenby nr. Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3QL

15 T: 01845 577286 E: reservations@crabandlobster.co.uk

WEDDING ESSENTIALS MARCH/APRIL 19

Group grub

Let’s get together Show-stopping venues for hungry groups, family gatherings and special occasions…

Coming together and breaking bread - sharing a meal - is one of the most communal and binding things we, as humans, can do. Whether celebrating a special occasion with family, or simply catching up with a group of friends, sitting down to eat together is a great way of socialising, bonding and connecting with those who mean the most.

Fortunately, there are plenty of tasty places around the region that serve as the perfect backdrop for a foodie get-together. Here are a few of our favourites…

For weddings and engagements MIDDLETON LODGE, NORTH YORKSHIRE In search of decadent dining in dreamy surroundings? Then make Middleton Lodge your go-to. The gorgeous Georgian country retreat, nestled in 200 acres of peaceful woodland in North Yorkshire, near Richmond, is something straight out of a fairytale, with enchanting walled gardens, sumptuous accommodation and gourmet-style dining in two uber-romantic restaurants.

Settle at The Forge and treat your tastebuds to its fine dining tasting menu, inspired by whatever’s growing in the nearby kitchen garden (veggie and vegan options available), or head for Coach House for a big, celebratory brunch, or a Mediterranean-style dinner, inspired

by Yorkshire countryside. There’s also a private dining room, overlooking a beautiful courtyard, for up to 24 guests. Dinner party anyone?

MENU MUST-HAVES: From The Forge, chocolate and hazelnut with whipped ganache and coffee ice cream. Artichoke, wild mushroom and truffle risotto from Coach House. middletonlodge.co.uk

For catch-ups with pals THE RIB ROOM STEAKHOUSE AT RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL, COUNTY DURHAM Fun get togethers with a good amount of chums need to take place in dining spots with personality - and The Rib Room Steakhouse has that in spades. Grab a big round table and revel in the AA awardwinning restaurant’s convivial vibes, tucking in to mighty slabs of

Middleton Lodge FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

16

Group grub

sensational steak - the finest Durham beef, matured for up to 32 days in the kitchen’s very own meat locker - or sensational lobster and freshly-caught halibut, done three ways. Its handy location, just off the A690 towards Durham, makes it a great meeting point for friends visiting from all over the region.

MENU MUST-HAVES: Spiced Sicilian lobster with mac and cheese, or the 320z tomahawk steak for two. ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

The Rib Room

For anniversaries and life’s milestones THE BAY HORSE, DARLINGTON

For family gatherings

Marking life’s special moments at a place like The Bay Horse guarantees memories that will last forever. Not only do its impressive menus shine a light on the best local, seasonal produce, its plush facilities are made for celebrating in. Upstairs, you’ll find two intimate private dining rooms - the Seagrave and the Northgate which large parties of up to 13 and 14 can make their own. Up here, guests are treated to an extra level of service, with dedicated waiters and optional extras such as personalised menus and drinks packages, welcome drinks, gourmet canapés and homemade cakes and desserts to make your visit even more special.

MENU MUST-HAVES: Smoked duck, cauliflower panna cotta, curried granola and truffle foam, followed by caramelised rice pudding with honeycomb. thebayhorsehurworth.com

THE NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS, MORPETH This charming five-star bar, restaurant and inn can be found in the small and serene village of Felton, just opposite the River Coquet.

Cosy, welcoming and deliciously laid-back, it’s perfect for big family meals, think hearty Sunday roasts and fine dining-style dinners come nightfall. Big groups with something to celebrate won’t find the usual ‘pub grub’ here; dishes are inventive, but not pretentious, marrying sophisticated ingredients and flavours from all over the world.

Gather together in the River Room – a light and airy, conservatorystyle space – for private dos.

MENU MUST-HAVES: Scotch quail egg with duck ham and black pudding, followed by monkfish curry. northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk

For birthday celebrations AVEIKA, NEWCASTLE For a party atmosphere with a luxurious VIP twist consider Aveika an award-winning restaurant and late bar, in the heart of Newcastle’s buzzy Quayside. While the restaurant serves up Japanese cuisine with a modern twist (the menu has recently been revamped in time for spring/summer 2019), the high-class bar transforms into an exciting after-dark destination for drinking and dancing. Nab yourself a large table at the back of the restaurant, or head upstairs to the VIP mezzanine level for private dining.

MENU MUST-HAVES: Giant prawns or spicy tuna tacos. aveika.co.uk

Aveika 17

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Kitchen calm

Kitchen kit

It’s the heart of any home and this season, it’s all about minimalistic-chic style, made perfect with a pop of pastel loveliness. Feel the zen vibes!

Oliver Bonas Kinship Marble Coasters, £30 (set of 4), oliverbonas.com

we love

Debenhams Home spring/summer 2019, debenhams.com

Oliver Bonas Clara Espresso Cup, £8, oliverbonas.com Oliver Bonas Cutipol Goa Rose Gold Cutlery, £373 (set of 24), oliverbonas.com

TK Maxx Marble Tray, £12.99, tkmaxx.com

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

18

Kitchen calm we love

John Lewis & Partners Aggie Glass Ceiling Light, £100, johnlewis.com

HomeSense Baby Pink Salt and Pepper Grinder, £5.99, homesense.com

Houseology Zuiver Albert Kuip Chair, £139, houseology.com TK Maxx Gold Minimal Clock, £16.99, tkmaxx.com

we love

Marks & Spencer Sunbaked Jug, £19.50, marksandspencer.com

Next Home spring/summer 2019, next.co.uk

19

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Food love stories

The best cook you know…

I’m lucky to have a number of really talented chefs on my team at The Potted Lobster. Two guys - Pete and Mark - stand out. I don’t know them, but I love Tom Kitchin and Rick Stein’s food, too.

The food you turn to when you need some comfort…

MY LIFE IN FOOD:

Breaded lemon sole fillets with homemade tartar sauce, lemon, and skinny fries. Or crème brûlée. It’s my go-to pudding.

The food you always need in your fridge…

Pickles or chutneys can turn most meals around.

Richard Sim

The food you could never give up…

A good bit of steak, with red wine.

What food means to you…

OWNER OF THE POTTED LOBSTER IN BAMBURGH

An old chef once said to me, “without food, you die. It deserves respect.”

I think that’s a good way of looking at it. Food is to be enjoyed and savoured.

A meal that takes you back to childhood…

THEPOTTEDLOBSTERBAMBURGH.CO.UK

Casseroles and stews. They remind me of my mum, who always did an excellent job in the kitchen.

The food that brings you the greatest joy…

Fish - any kind. I just love it.

The food that represents where you come from…

Fish and game. I was brought up on the Northumberland coast, so they’re both a big part of my food identity. And essential ingredients in my menus.

Your most memorable meal…

Up in the mountains above the France-Italy border one summer. Eating lamb (thinking back, it was probably goat), cooked over an open fire, in a small tin hut, with wine from clay jugs.

Your favourite meal of the day and why…

Dinner - or ‘tea’, as we call it here in the North East. When I’m not working, I love to sit down around the table with my family at the end of the day.

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

20

Try this

SPECIALS BOARD Tasty food news from around the region and beyond…

BANYAN BAR & KITCHENn

THE MUDDLER If you’re in to your Pan-Asian grub, then why not pay The Muddler a visit.

If a spot of boozy brunch, or a

The new late-night restaurant, on Newcastle’s ever-gorgeous Grey Street, is

celebratory dinner, washed down with

a chic little find, perfect for special date nights and intimate suppers with

show-stopping cocktails, sounds like

friends and family. Think inventive and refreshing cocktails (gin with

your kind of thing, then you’ll love

cucumber and lemongrass anyone?), paired with show-stopping sushi

the newly-opened Banyan Bar &

platters, Asian-style meats, seafood and stir-fry, vibrant Japanese salads

Kitchen on Newcastle’s Blackett

and more. themuddlernewcastle.co.uk

Street. While its mixologists muddle and pour over 30 signature up charcuterie platters, locally-

SUNDERLAND FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

sourced fish of the day, healthy

Calling all Sunderland foodies! This

‘power bowls’, pancakes and

summer, the city will host is first Food

more. Check out the private

and Drink Festival from 21-23 June.

cocktails, its kitchen team serve

hen c t i K & r a B n Banya

dining room if you have a special

Head to Keel Square, Market Square,

occasion coming up. arcinspirations.com/banyan-newcastle

Blandford Street and High Street West for a mix of mouthwatering street food and live demos from

MALTON FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL

celebrity chefs and chefs from the

Don’t miss Malton Food Lovers Festival on 25 and 26 May. Returning to the

city’s best-loved restaurants.

streets of Yorkshire’s food capital for its 11th year, it promises two jam-

seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk

Food & Drink Fe s

packed days of tasty delights and fun, celebrating Yorkshire's finest produce and cooking. Expect artisan stalls, jaw-dropping street food, talks and

tival

CROOK HALL & GARDENS

tastings, celebrity chefs’ talks and live demos, live entertainment and more.

visitmalton.com

Crook Hall & Gardens, Durham, is bringing back its Garden-inspired Afternoon Tea for 2019. Settle in one afternoon from 21-28 July and enjoy

HIGH TIDE

dainty finger sandwiches, sweet treats and drinks made and infused with

Food-lovers living by the sea need to check out High Tide, overlooking

ingredients straight from the gardens. £24.50 per adult, or £32 for a cocktail

Cullercoats Bay. The small, but perfectly-formed, bistro opened its doors just

upgrade. crookhallgardens.co.uk

a few months ago, but is already drawing in the crowds from all over the region. Its chefs insist on serving only the freshest fish and seafood, straight from the North Sea, and the best local meats they can find, served with

CAFE ROYAL

seasonal veg with a fusion twist. They serve up stunning veggie and vegan

Newcastle’s iconic Café Royal is sporting a brand new look, following a

options, too, as well as mighty good Sunday roasts.

ravishing revamp. Firmly settled on Nelson Street, the award-winning

Search @HighTideCullercoats on Facebook or @high_tide_cullercoats on Instagram

bistro-style cafe has been a part of the city’s ever-flourishing food and drink scene for years, but is now looking better than ever before. Not only has it been given a fresh new look (hello white wash walls, plush booths and

BROCKSBUSHES FARM SHOP

sleek tables and chairs), it’s also showing off a

Stop by Brocksbushes Farm Shop on 24-25 May

brand new all-day menu, including of-the-

for its Food Lovers Friday & Sampling Saturday

moment brunch dishes like super greens eggs

event. Meet and chat to local suppliers, pick up all

Benedict, new Afternoon Tea offerings with

your larder must-haves, including fresher-than-

homemade pastries, cakes and fluffy scones

fresh fruit and veg, and taste and shop your way

and Mediterranean-style mains.

through the many pop-up stalls.

sjf.co.uk

brockbushes.co.uk

21

Café Royal

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Food glorious food

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Words of wisdom from bigname foodies…

“LIFE IS UNCERTAIN. EAT DESSERT FIRST.” ERNESTINE ULMER “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” Luciano Pavarotti

“Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.” Anthony Bourdain

“ONE CANNOT THINK WELL, LOVE WELL, SLEEP WELL, IF ONE HAS NOT DINED WELL.” VIRGINIA WOOLF

“PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO EAT ARE ALWAYS THE BEST PEOPLE.” JULIA CHILD

“IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A FRIEND, GO TO SOMEONE’S HOUSE AND EAT WITH HIM. THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE YOU THEIR FOOD GIVE YOU THEIR HEART.” CESAR CHAVE

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relatives.”

Oscar Wilde FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

22

“THE PEOPLE MAY BE DIFFERENT, THE FLAVOURS UNUSUAL OR THE PLACES FAR OFF, BUT THE MESSAGE - THAT FOOD INFORMS WHO WE ARE, AND HOW WE LOVE – STAYS TRUE.” RUBY TANDOH

Xxxxxxxx

SEAHAM HALL

The Dining Room With the rugged North Sea facing us and glorious countryside all about us, we’ve the finest ingredients right on our doorstep. Regional dining at it’s best.

Open every night for dinner from 6.30pm.

Call 0191 516 1400 to make a reservation.

Seaham Hall Hotel, Lord Byron’s Walk, County Durham, Sr7 7Ag Tel: 0191 516 1400 Email: Hotel@Seaham-Hall.com www.seaham-hall.co.uk

23

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

Xxxxxxxx

FOOD TRAIL MAY/JUNE 19

24