EAT! Partners and Sponsors

EAT! Festival Objectives

EAT! NewcastleGateshead is a festival which passionately advocates to all the pleasures of creating and sharing good food and drink in the North East.

EAT! NewcastleGateshead aims to:

• Elevate the profile of the North East as a producer and provider of quality food and drink
• Raise the status of professions in food production, retail and hospitality
• Highlight entry points and development options for those considering a career in food or employed within it
• Raise standards of customer service in hospitality businesses
• Encourage strong connections between NewcastleGatehead and its regional food producers and awareness of the farm-to-fork journey
• Encourage pleasurable and convivial encounters at the table
• Develop enthusiasm for the discovery and enjoyment of good food in local children
• Attract visitors from outside the region to the North East to sample the hospitality available

EAT! Steering Group

Food producers and Retailers

Steve Ramshaw (Northumbrian Quality Meats), Mark Robertson (Northumberland Cheese Co.), Billy Wilkinson (Gilchester Organics), Henry Butler (Tavasso Delicatessen)

Hoteliers, Restaurants and Cafés

Terry Laybourne (Café 21, Jesmond Dene House Hotel), Lizzy Kelk (Malmaison Newcastle), Joseph di Georgi (Secco, Slow Food NE), Andy Hook (Blackfriars), Sam Storey (Belle & Herbs), Chris Jewett (Open Kitchen), Dave Kennedy and David Ladd (Black Door Group)

Public Representatives

Stella Hall and Carol Bell (Culture¹⁰/NGI), Melanie Hill (Northumbria Larder), Martin Charlton (Tyne Met College), Mandy France and Richard Hutchinson (ONE North East)

For more information about EAT! contact:

Simon Preston, EAT! Festival Director
Telephone: 07976 651 191
Email: simon.preston@hotmail.co.uk