Ophelia has been included in The Star Wine List’s White Star listings for the first time. The list recognises venues which have interesting wine lists that have been reviewed and approved for inclusion. Following this first step, the Gosforth restaurant will be visited by one of the awarding body’s team or ambassadors with a view to possibly awarding Red Star status. Star Wine List is independent and the decision to select a venue for either Red Star or a White Star status is down to the team and their ambassadors. Star Wine List does not charge venues to be listed and venues cannot pay to be ..read more

Thousands joined in the fun at Bishop Auckland Food Festival – where celebrity chefs, tasty treats and family activities were all on the menu. More than 150 stalls lined the streets, with traders from County Durham and beyond selling curries, crepes, cocktails and mocktails, and more. Famous chefs including plant-based and vegan duo BOSH! and BBC Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt wowed the crowds with outdoor cookery demonstrations. With the sun shining for the most part, nearly 30,000 people attended the two-day event, which is organised by Durham County Council. “It’s been another grea ..read more

Foodies from across the North East are expected to head to Wearside on April 27 as food producers, street food traders and makers from across the region join together at Sunderland’s Sunniside Gardens. The community market, which takes place 10am-4pm on the fourth Saturday of every month, offers the chance to buy everything from pies, savouries, chutneys and kimchis to honey, cheese, craft beer, and street food. Among the traders taking part are Phil King, of specialist doughnut shop Deep North, who said: “Sunniside Market is great for us – it takes our business and our product to a new commun ..read more

Davey’s Breakfasts and Sandwiches is set to launch a new concept at STACK Seaburn. Since Rob West and David Milburn opened Davey’s in a small shop in Sheriff Hill, Gateshead four years ago, the company has gone from strength to strength – launching two more shops in Low Fell and Sandyford, and expanding the menu to offer more sandwiches, burgers, burritos, and tacos. After a year spent travelling to the US, researching recipes and refining menus, Rob and David are set to open Davey’s Mexicano at STACK Seaburn on Friday May 3 – in the unit formerly occupied by Chapos Tacos. “We are confident ST ..read more

Alnwick-based Turnbull’s has earned four gold awards from the Q Guild of Butchers – while also being shortlisted for a diamond award – at the organisation’s annual product evaluation. More than 200 products were put forward by butchers from across the UK for this year’s Smithfield Awards, organised by the Q Guild of Butchers. Turnbull’s earned gold honours for its Northumbrian pork and haggis sausage; maple-cured smoked bacon; bistro beef, black pudding and Stilton pie; and venison Wellington. The venison Wellington will also be competing for a diamond award later this year. On the day of the ..read more

Foodies snapped up 6,000 dish tokens in under 30 minutes for the upcoming BiteBack charity event in Newcastle. A group of 15 chefs from some of the UK’s leading restaurants – with 16 Michelin stars and three Michelin Green stars between them – will cook at Wylam Brewery on Sunday June 9 to raise money for Cancer Research UK. On the day, each chef will serve up a unique dish, providing guests with an insight into their individual inspirations and influences. The event is free for people to attend and while the majority of dish tokens have been pre-sold, there will be a limited number of tokens ..read more

McColl’s Brewery, based in Bishop Auckland, has launched the Mayday project – a national collaboration with six other breweries and 25 venues across the UK – to reduce the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, get people talking, and raise money for three causes. The initiative will include a range of special edition brews sold in each of the participating venues – including The Hop Knocker in Durham and the Free Trade in Newcastle – from April 26. Beers will also be sold on the McColl’s website. 15p from every can and pint sold will be divided between men’s health causes Man Up?, The Grievi ..read more

Social Bird has spread its wings with a grand launch event at the Fenkle Street, Newcastle venue featuring live music, magical performances, and lots more. Guests flocked from all corners of the North East to enjoy the opening night, with singers Annabel Pattinson Hurrell and Finn Foster, and DJ Suzee x Music entertaining guests. Caricaturist Paul Slattery brought laughter to the crowd as he sketched guests’ faces onto Social Bird chicken bodies, while magician Chriss Cross dazzled guests with mind-bending tricks. Throughout the evening, signature cocktails flowed, and guests were also treated ..read more

Award-winning and bestselling cook Anna Jones is heading to Newcastle on Friday May 10 to discuss her new book, Easy Wins, with North East-based chef and author Anna Hedworth – in a one-off event created by Forum Books. The event, at The Biscuit Room, will see Anna Jones discuss what went into the book, including her golden rules for easy wins in the kitchen and how she creates super-simple recipes that are bursting with flavour and are kind to the planet. For tickets and more information visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/forumbooks/an-evening-with-anna-jones/e-qlbkjm ..read more

Matfen Hall is celebrating the arrival of spring with a new seasonal menu. The Northumberland venue has launched a spring à la carte menu in its Cloisters Restaurant and Bar, offering a selection of dishes featuring seasonal and locally sourced produce, including ingredients grown in the estate’s gardens and foraged from its grounds. Dishes include seared beef carpaccio, pan-fried salmon with polenta and roasted gem heart, and cauliflower steak with roasted pears and black garlic. “The Cloisters brasserie menu is seasonal driven, and we’ve updated it to fit the shift in season,” said head chef ..read more