19 March 2013

The Grazer's Middle East Meat Free Feast Supperclub


The first supper club I attended was in 2010 in an old village hall near Newcastle. It wasn’t a beautiful venue, but filled with fairy lights, candles, interesting people and delicious food it did the trick. Back then this was a new concept in the North East and most of the guests were as bemused as they were excited. Many turned up to meet new people, some for the experience, and others just because they were cool.

Supper clubs have outlasted most other food trends, if anything they’ve grown in popularity. This could be because they have evolved and caught on with serious foodie types, with pop-ups now being created by food writers, chefs and street food evangelists. 


Right at the forefront of the pop-up scene in Newcastle is popular food blogger The Grazer, aka Anna Hedworth. Anna started her blog in 2011 and quickly established herself amongst top foodies. The blog follows her own adventures in the kitchen, her travels and her seasonal Graze events.



Last year she set up her first supper club inside a refurbished shipping container in Ouseburn, Newcastle, and it proved so popular she now runs a pop-up every couple of months (she has a full time job too!).

Spaces are limited and after missing out on a couple of occasions I finally managed to get a seat at the table for her Middle East Meat Free Feast (tickets sold out within 2 minutes). I love meat but I also love middle eastern flavours so I was willing to give it a miss for one night. I wasn't disappointed.


























Supper clubs are an amazing way to meet new people and eat delicious food cooked by people who love what they do. Anna's passion is obvious and I look forward to booking a spot on her next pop-up. If you live in Newcastle or are just visiting I urge you to get along to one, you won't regret it!

For more info, recipes and details of future supper clubs, be sure to check out Anna's blog http://the-grazer.blogspot.co.uk




25 September 2012

Urban Night Feast

6pm - 12am    27th - 29th September 2012
The Boiler Shop   Robert Stephenson Centre   Sussex Street   Newcastle Upon Tyne   NE1 3PD


Urban Night Feast will bring together some of the UK's finest street vendors and chefs cooking food from all over the world. Thai, Spanish, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Indian, British and much more will be on offer over 3 nights in the heart of Newcastle.

The first of its kind in the North East, UNF is the brainchild of Indian chef and food writer Maunika Gowardhan who is passionate about the street food she grew up with in her native Mumbai. It is a way of life in many countries around the world where you'll find authentic and unique dishes you wouldn't be able to eat in any restaurant. With the Urban Night Feast Maunika wants the people of the North East to taste amazing food they have never tried before and hopes it will be the start of a new movement in the region.

As well as some fantastic local chefs and vendors there'll be a few travelling from a bit further a field, so it truly is an opportunity not to be missed. Here's a taste of what's on offer...


The Rib Man
Legendary in London, Mark Gevaux serves baby back ribs from outdoor reared Suffolk pigs as half rack, full rack, rib meat rolls and wraps. He also sells a range of hot sauces including 'Christ on a Bike', 'Holy F*ck' and 'Holy Mother of God', I cannot wait!
http://www.theribman.co.uk/

El Kantina
These guys will be serving up amazing Mexican and Southern US street food including tacos, burritos, pulled pork and nachos.
http://www.elkantina.co.uk/#!

Horn OK Please
Indian street food like you've never tasted before including pani puri, bhel puri and aloo tikki chaat.
http://www.hop.st/

Catalan Cooking
Having lived in Catalonia for much of her twenties, Rachel McCormack is passionate about authentic Catalan food and will be cooking some incredible dishes. 
http://www.catalancooking.co.uk/

David Kennedy
The man behind two of the North Easts most talked about restaurants, David Kennedy will be cooking Turkish and Lebanese street food. You will not want to miss this!
http://www.foodsocial.co.uk/

Riley's Fish Shack
Tynemouth based Adam and Lucy cook beautiful fresh fish and seafood over a charcoal grill. Their motto is "fabulous fish, locally caught, simply served".
http://rileysfishshack.com/
David Kennedy                                                           Riley's Fish Shack

Latimer's Seafood
One of the finest fishmongers in the North East, Robert and the team will be serving up sizzling squid, crab and whiskey soup, oysters and smoked haddock & leek pasties.
http://www.latimers.com/



The Broad Chare
Terry Laybourne's latest venture will be offering a selection of British street food including their famous scotch egg, proper pork scratchings and battered monkfish cheeks.
http://www.thebroadchare.co.uk/

Head Chef Chris Eagle and the famous Scotch Egg


John Connell - Eclectic Picnic

Recently crowned North East Chef of the Year, John Connell and his partner Sally Walker will be offering a selection of dishes from the far east which I am more than excited to taste!




Pizzette
Any fans of Newcastle's Marco Polo restaurant will love their new offering. Pizzette is a converted 1975 Citroen HY van serving delicious wood fired sourdough pizzas.
http://pizzette.co.uk/



Wylam Brewery
Brewers of some of my favourite ales, beer lovers make sure you pay them a visit. The perfect accompaniment for the feast! 
http://www.wylambrewery.co.uk/

Passione Vino
A fantastic company bringing unusual wines from artisan winemakers to a wider audience. Definitely worth a visit to sample wines you won't find anywhere else. 
http://www.passionevino.co.uk/

Ouseburn Coffee Company
Based in Newcastle, these guys will be creating an exclusive blend especially for the feast. 
http://ouseburncoffee.wordpress.com/

For more information and to keep up to date...

Follow on Twitter @urbannightfeast








4 April 2012

Donal Skehan : Kitchen Hero TV Series

Monday 23rd April  6pm   The Good Food Channel


Donal Skehan's debut TV series finally hits UK screens this month after a successful run in his native Ireland. Named after and based on recipes from his second book Kitchen Hero, Donal dishes up a variety of delicious and easy to follow recipes that will get everyone cooking. I flew over to join him for the last few days of filming to shoot behind the scenes (and fill my belly).


With his third book due to be published later this month and a second TV series on its way, this is going to be another big year for the talented cook, writer and photographer. If you can't wait until the 23rd, here's a taste of what's to come...





Donal Skehan Kitchen Hero
Starts Monday 23rd April  6pm  The Good Food Channel (Sky 249  Virgin 260)

For more information CLICK HERE