Meet the Chefs Cooking at Living North's Newcastle Christmas Fair
With such an array of talent, the chef demo kitchen is the place to be at our Christmas Fair
11am
Le Gruyère
The festive period can always be defined by one thing in the kitchen – an abundance of fabulous cheese. If you’re seeking inspiration on how to make the most of this versatile staple, head to the Chef Demo Kitchen where the talented team from Le Gruyère will give you the tips you need to know to wow your guests this Christmas.
12pm
Kyle Bowman, Dobson & Parnell
Kyle Bowman is an award-winning chef with nearly two decades of experience in fine dining and modern British cuisine. He has held senior roles across prestigious kitchens, including running his own acclaimed restaurant, and most recently overseeing fine dining at Newcastle United. A passionate and innovative chef, Kyle has won North East Chef of the Year 2023 and HRC Sodexo Chef of the Year 2022, as well as being a two-time National Chef of the Year semi-finalist. At Dobson & Parnell, Kyle brings his wealth of experience, creativity, and commitment to seasonal, locally-sourced produce to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
1pm
Patricia Marques, Secrettaart
Patricia Marques was born in Angola and raised in Holland, and had dreamed of being a pastry chef since she was a little girl. After moving to the UK in 2016 and meeting some incredible people who believed in her dreams, she set up Secrettaart. Patricia has trained around the world with renowned chefs who have helped her refine her skills and develop her own creativity. Her secret, she says, is imagining her customers’ reaction when they experience the unique taste of her pastries and chocolates.
2pm
Daniel Jonberger, Crush Wine Bar
After spending more than 27 years in the hospitality industry (many of those years in Michelin-starred environments), Daniel opened Crush Wine Bar in Durham in 2024. With his sommelier background, he has curated an eclectic wine list that is innovative, curious, surprising and playful. With around 90 different wines, it is a unique destination for the North East. Daniel hosts popular wine tastings one Sunday a month and enjoys sharing his love of wine with no snobbery.
11am
Ringtons
An iconic brand in the North East, Ringtons has been stocking our cupboards and filling our cups for more than 100 years, keeping quality and locality at its core. Now a fifth-generation business, we can’t wait to welcome them to our Chef Demo Kitchen for a fabulous tea tasting session.
12pm
Richard Sim, The Potted Lobster
A Living North favourite, Richard’s Bamburgh restaurant The Potted Lobster has won Michelin recognition and is certainly one of the best on the North East coast. He’s also been busy growing the delightful new hotel and bistro combination in Alnmouth (the charmingly named Whittling House) and his newest venture, Bertram’s in Warkworth, has also received rave reviews as a place to both eat and stay. Richard’s appreciation of the finest local produce (whether it’s game, fish or a raft of other seasonal fare) is key to his highly-regarded restaurants.
2pm
Paul Johnson, Lord Crewe Arms
Originally from Consett, Paul has been working as a chef for more than 20 years, learning his trade in some of the top hotels in the North East including Close House, Matfen Hall and Lumley Castle – in addition to working for a spell in Georgia, USA and for two-Michelin starred Nathan Outlaw in Cornwall. Paul joined the Lord Crewe Arms in 2023. Nestled in the honey-stone village of Blanchland, the Lord Crewe Arms is soaked in Northumberland soul. Using amazing local suppliers and produce from their own kitchen garden, they create menus to reflect the changing seasons.
11am
Tomahawk
Join the Tomahawk team as they cook up some Himalayan salt-aged steak and all of your favourite Tomahawk sides. Executive chef Lee will be joined by Allan and Fabrice to give you a step by step workshop on how to cook the perfect steak at home. There'll be top tips, voucher giveaways, and plenty of tasters for everyone. Come hungry, leave inspired.
12pm
Hummingbird Drinks
Hummingbird Drinks, based in Amble, are an award-winning ready to drink cocktail company. Having started their business three years ago as a pop-up cocktail bar, Chris and Becca have developed a range of ready to drink cocktails that are now stocked and sold across the UK. On top of their cocktails, they are the co-creators of Grounded, a new coffee liqueur that’s taking the UK by storm. Their demonstration will showcase their cocktails and allow you to see how versatile Grounded can be!
1pm
Olayemi Adelekan, Yummy by Design
Olayemi Adelekan at Yummy By Design is a passionate cook and MasterChef UK 2022 semi-finalist who has been cooking for more than 40 years. She shares her love and passion for food through food blogging, content creation, as a private chef and through private dining services, demonstrations, pop-up events, supper clubs and a weekly food feature (Yemi’s Food Stories) celebrating food events, producers and their produce.
2pm
Daniel Jonberger, Crush Wine Bar
After spending more than 27 years in the hospitality industry (many of those years in Michelin-starred environments), Daniel opened Crush Wine Bar in Durham in 2024. With his sommelier background, he has curated an eclectic wine list that is innovative, curious, surprising and playful. With around 90 different wines, it is a unique destination for the North East. Daniel hosts popular wine tastings one Sunday a month and enjoys sharing his love of wine with no snobbery.
11am
Le Gruyère
The festive period can always be defined by one thing in the kitchen – an abundance of fabulous cheese. If you’re seeking inspiration on how to make the most of this versatile staple, head to the Chef Demo Kitchen where the talented team from Le Gruyère will give you the tips you need to know to wow your guests this Christmas.
12pm
FIIK, Durham
What does FIIK Stand for I hear you ask? F**K If I Know! All you really need to know is that they offer a tasting menu with a difference where every visit is a new experience in culinary creativity! Their mission is simple: to shake up the ordinary dining scene with a touch of whimsy, a tickle of curiosity and a tongue punch of flavour. So, say goodbye to the usual restaurant experience because here, they blend fine dining with fun.
1pm
Angus Mason, Newcastle Cocktail Kitchen
A freelance bartender who supplies some of the finest Tyneside restaurants with cocktails and soft drinks, before Newcastle Cocktail Kitchen Angus spent time at House of Tides, The Patricia, Ophelia and Solstice, and he saw a need for pre-made quality cocktails. When bartending and parenting became incompatible, Newcastle Cocktail Kitchen was born, a workspace on North Shields Fish Quay from which he could create and supply bars and restaurants. Since taking the plunge into self-employment, Angus can boast Riley’s Fish Shack, Wild Fire, Solstice and House of Tides amongst his regular clients, with private parties and events keeping him on his toes.
2pm
Andrew Smith, Bread and Roses
Andrew's entire 38-year career has been within the food industry. He began in 1987 as a co-founder of Red Herring Workers' Co-operative, committed to radical ideals such as making all items of food available from scratch, equitable work practice and using organic and locally-produced ingredients wherever possible. He was a bakery supervisor at the multi-award-winning Village Bakery, Melmerby for 10 years, and in 2012 he set up Bread and Roses, initially offering consultancy services and baking bread on a small wood-fired brick oven he built in his back yard at home. He moved into an industrial unit in Alnwick in April 2014 and has overseen the development of the Bread and Roses Bakery ever since, as it has become a respected and award-winning bread producer serving many of Northumberland's finest food outlets.
