Fringe Events
Liquid Bred
Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Sat 17 May, 7.30pm & 9.30pm
FREE
In conjunction with the Late Shows, award-winning food and drink journalist Alastair Gilmour will take an audience on an entertaining journey down the Tyne from Wylam to North Shields, where you can taste a unique selection of beers from the region's breweries.
Jesmond Dene House Festival of Food and Wine 2008
Sun 27 April - Mon 5 May
www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk / 0191 212 3000
One of the region's finest hotel/restaurants presents a showcase of supreme culinary talent and creativity. On 2 May, five of the world's top chefs prepare an extraordinary gala dinner. There'll be cooking demonstrations through to tasting menu dinners from chefs including two-Michelin starred Michael Caines and John Campbell; Nigel Haworth of Northcote Manor, which has held a star for 12 years; Sanjay Dwivedi of award-winning Indian restaurant, Zaika; and top Sicilian winemaker, Francesca Planeta. And John Williams of The Ritz will re-create his hotel's fabulous afternoon tea. Other treats include a vegetarian feast and producers' market, plus a sizzling barbecue cooked by a world champion BBQ team!
During EAT!, there are three events to catch at Newcastle's dynamic Centre for Life in Times Square, Newcastle.
Science of Cocktails
Sat 3 May, 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 including all drinks
www.life.org.uk / 0191 243 8210
What is the attraction of cocktails? How did the working man's tipple become the epitome of sophistication? And why were so many medical men involved in the creation of our favourites? Discover the fascinating science of mixology in this one-off hands-on workshop, which stimulates the palate as well as the mind.
Botany of Gin
Sat 17 May, 9pm (although the Centre is open all day)
FREE
www.life.org.uk / 0191 243 8210
Are all gins the same, or do the differences in flavour justify the differences in prices? In this workshop we explore the history of the drink from its invention in 17th century Holland through Hogarth's Gin Lane, the invention of the gin and tonic and the recent rise of designer gins. You'll get the chance to taste selected gins, identify the plants that give them their distinctive flavours and discover the brands you really prefer.
Fit for Fun
Sat 5 April - Tues 2 Sept
www.life.org.uk / 0191 243 8210
Life's latest temporary exhibition has plenty of hands on exhibits to intrigue all ages: scale the slanting walls using only your arms; change TV channels with a musclepowered remote control; and find out if you're a super taster. Fit for Fun explores the things that make us happy and healthy, and makes learning about your body and how to look after it fascinating and fun.
EAT! Italy - Tavasso Fine Italian Food & Wine
Tues 13 May to Fri 16 May
0191 285 4052
07811 454716
tavassodeli@yahoo.co.uk
In their mission to try and excite some of the Italian passion for great food and wine and focus it onto the really excellent produce we have to offer in the region, Tavasso have linked up with The Grainger Rooms restaurant to promote some Italian wine tasting dinners during the EAT! Food Festival.
They have selected wines from the regions of Friuli and the Venetoin the North East of Italy, and Chris Slaughter, chef and owner of the Grainger Rooms, has developed two traditional Italian menus that reflect both the wines and the dishes that would traditionally match them using the best our region and the season have to offer. There will be special prices to purchase the wines by the case only available to those attending. Both menus are of three courses, each with a different wine. Prices are £49.50 per head inclusive of wine.
To book call the Grainger Rooms on 0191 232 4949
We have also teamed up with James Burton of Vallum Cooking to develop traditional Italian menus using local produce for fully catered Italian wine tasting dinner parties in your own home. We will arrive, cook for you, pour your wine, impart our vast knowledge, tidy up and leave you to enjoy the rest of the party. James can also provide cookery lessons and foraging expeditions as part of the service.
Belle & Herbs Café
200 Heaton Rd, Heaton
Throughout May
www.belleandherbs.co.uk / 0191 265 1000
Lively fringe events coming to Heaton institution Belle & Herbs include some very special food themed evenings, from a ‘Murder Club' to music from singer/songwriter Beth Jeans Houghton, The Butterfly Cabinet and Mispent Uke, plus poetry and comedy nights
- all accompanied by great food.
Castello Food Company at Alan Reed Gallery, Ponteland
Fri 16 May, 7pm
Tickets: £15
0191 414 4447 / www.castellofoodcompany.com / www.alanreed.com
Italian food and wine specialists Castello are hosting an exclusive Italian wine tasting, featuring a variety of high-quality wines created by small artisan producers around Italy. Learn about the regions, producers and production involved as you sample delicious Italian antipasti, meats and cheeses specially selected to complement the wines - which will be flowing freely! And there's culture on hand too: renowned local watercolour artist Alan Reed will be discussing his Italian paintings.
