appetite magazine is teaming up with Vallum artisan producer hub on Hadrian’s Wall to stage Winter Fayre, November 17
These things always sound so easy, don’t they? And so it was that our editor Jane Pikett and Vallum owner Vicky Moffitt came up with a vague idea for a winter food and drink fayre over coffee, and found themselves, about 24 hours later, in the midst of organising a major 12-hour seasonal extravaganza.
Fortunately, Taste North East has also come on board to help us stage Vallum Christmas Fayre in association with our sister magazine Cheers, and between us we’re gathering a host of food and drink producers for the event; the first major happening at Vallum following the opening later this month of its newly restored Old Cow Barn and the arrival of new artisan producers on site.
Vallum Christmas Fayre will feature food, drink and artisan craft and gift stalls, demonstrations from leading chefs and producers, grazing fayre from famous names including David Kennedy and Dabbawal – Newcastle’s pioneering street food kitchen – plus music and entertainment including Santa’s Grotto and an Elves’ Workshop from Meadows Nursery.
The stalls will all be under cover and the free event will run from 11am-11pm, with a festive family atmosphere during the day followed by an evening of cocktails, street food and late-night music.
Vallum Christmas Fayre, which promises to be a major seasonal event and a great opportunity to stock up on festive food and gifts, also heralds the arrival at Vallum of former North East Chef of the Year David Kennedy, who is launching a new restaurant, function space and shop in the newly restored Old Cow Barn at the heart of the farm on Hadrian’s Wall, eight miles west of Newcastle.
David (pictured above left with Vallum owners Peter and Vicky Moffitt) joins the artisan producers already on site, including Bywell Smokery and Ken and Tracy Holland’s North Country Growers. A new baker will also move in soon, and production of the Great Taste Award-winning Vallum ice cream is moving into a new parlour in the Old Cow Barn, which will also be home to regular foodie workshops, fairs, markets and events.
Vallum Christmas Fayre, with Taste NE, appetite and Cheers magazine, November 17, 11am-11pm, at Vallum, East Wallhouses, Military Road, Newcastle, NE18 0LL,
tel 01434 672 652. Watch the Vallum and appetite websites for details
