Curries, crepes, cocktails and mocktails will be among the delights on offer at next weekend’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. Durham County Council, which organises the festival, has confirmed more than 150 traders from Durham and beyond will be taking stalls at the event on Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 21. Alongside the familiar faces that regular festivalgoers will recognise, there’ll be 30 new traders selling everything from paella to Portuguese street food. There’ll also be activities and performances within the grounds of Auckland Castle. Last year’s festival pulled in an estimated ..read more

New markets celebrating street food, farm produce, Christmas and more are coming to locations across County Durham. Durham County Council has procured specialist social enterprise Baccanalia to organise bespoke markets at 11 centres across the county. Ranging from craft markets, street food, farmers’ markets, vintage fayres and Christmas markets, the events will run throughout the year and build on previous events which have been held in Bishop Auckland. The markets will be coming to Chester-le-Street, Spennymoor, Consett, Stanley, Crook, Peterlee, Newton Aycliffe, Seaham, Bishop Auckland, Bar ..read more

The sounds and spirit of South America are set to spice up Newcastle when Motel Mexicana opens to the public on March 30. The Mosley Street venue is dedicated to all things Latino – with entertainment, food and drink and, ultimately, accommodation. Its £500,000 first phase will officially open to the public on Saturday March 30, with those who sign up as Motel members able to enjoy a sneak preview on Good Friday (March 29). The venue, which will open seven days a week, will offer a Mexican-inspired food and drink menu alongside a daily, changing line up of entertainment – including live music ..read more

Social Bird is set to spread its wings and take flight on Newcastle’s Fenkle Street on April 5. The restaurant promises to combine a laid-back atmosphere with an innovative menu that celebrates local flavours, community spirit, and a chicken charm. Head chef Ben Watson said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Social Bird team and bring a fresh and exciting dining concept to Newcastle. We have worked closely with local suppliers to create a menu that highlights the best of our region’s ingredients and flavours. The involvement of the local community has played a big part in the development of So ..read more

This year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival is set to include a feast of free family fun as well as delicious food and drink stalls and cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs on Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 21. Saturday will kick-off with The Speakeasies covering popular songs with a surprising twist – think ragtime jazz Lady Gaga and smooth and soulful Guns ‘n’ Roses. Also appearing on Saturday are professional street entertainer and Covent Garden regular Richard Filby, and foot-stomping carnival band Baque de Ogum. The Speakeasies’ Bishop Auckland-based vocalist, Ruth Stapleton, wil ..read more

Matfen Hall is set to bring fairytales to life this spring by welcoming little princesses to a regal afternoon event. The Northumberland hotel and spa is hosting a Princess Afternoon Tea 1-4pm on Tuesday April 9, giving youngsters the chance to enjoy magical fun and special treats. Encouraged to dress in their finest princess gowns, children will have the opportunity to meet Matfen Hall’s own princesses in the hotel’s stunning Drawing Room, while enjoying afternoon tea and a special princess mocktail. Accompanying adults can indulge in a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne alongside a selection ..read more

Sunderland Restaurant Week in March saw more than 21,500 diners take advantage of special deals at dozens of restaurants, cafés and bars around the city – delivering an estimated economic impact of £646,440. The twice-yearly event continues to grow, bolstered by Sunderland’s fast-growing restaurant scene, with both new venues and old favourites taking part in March. The three most popular venues were Rumour Has It at Green Terrace, House of Zen at Seaburn, and Asiana at the Echo 24 building. Ian Wong, owner of Asiana, said: “This can be traditionally a quiet time of year – after Mother’s Day a ..read more

SIX Rooftop has been awarded two red rosettes by the AA for culinary excellence, recognising the quality of the restaurant’s food within weeks of its opening. AA Red Rosettes – first awarded in 1956 – are presented to restaurants achieving levels that stand out in their local area. These are restaurants that are serving food prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good quality ingredients. AA area manager and senior inspector Euan Davidson said: “We found assured cooking from [head chef] Alex Walker in the recently refurbished space at the top of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary A ..read more

Pine’s Liam Smith has made it to the final six in the annual Roux Scholarship competition. The final six, all new entrants to the competition, impressed the judges in their respective regional heats – which saw Michel Roux Jr and Angela Hartnett judging at University College Birmingham, and Alain Roux and Clare Smyth judging at the University of West London. The five other finalists are: Harrison Brockington (Gather in Totnes), Ben Miller (Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London), Karol Ploch (Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in London), Jordan Randerson (Elephant in Torquay) and Evelina Stripeik ..read more

SIX Rooftop has been included in OpenTable’s list of the UK’s top 100 most romantic restaurants within weeks of its relaunch. Compiled from more than 1.1million OpenTable diner reviews and metrics, the list highlights the UK’s most romantic dining spots from Aberdeen to Cornwall, and everywhere in between. The restaurant, run by Pneuma Hospitality Group, has also been presented with a recommendation award by Restaurant Guru. With more than 30million monthly users, Restaurant Guru’s awards are issued by the website based entirely on guest reviews. “We are thrilled to receive recognition from Op ..read more