The debut edition of the ‘Northumbrian Food Festival’ organized by Turnbull in Alnwick in September had a fantastic beginning.
It featured a week-long celebration of the exquisite cuisine crafted in Northumberland while also serving as a fundraiser for four local youth sports teams.
The week’s events kicked off with a collaboration between the award-winning food hall and Restaurant Pine, which saw the two teams come together at Turnbull’s Alnwick base to host ‘Northumbrian Evening’ a pop-up dining experience celebrating the food, the producers and the vibrant foodie scene of Northumberland.
The evening was followed by a chocolate tasting with Newcastle-based chocolatier, Jane Davenport, a wine and cheese evening with sommelier Pierre Lacroix and the Northumberland Cheese Company and a Northumbrian Beer Festival, celebrating a selection of the best local ales. The week was rounded off with a small local producers market, held on-site at Turnbull’s Northumbrian food hall, Alnwick.
Proceeds from each of the events held during the week, along with a percentage of Turnbull’s daily sales, were then donated to four local junior sports teams – Alnwick Dolphins, Alnwick Rugby Minis and Juniors, Alnwick Town Football Club Juniors and Alnmouth and Lesbury Cricket Club.
Each day Turnbull’s customers voted for their favourite club to determine the allocation of funds at the end of the week, which saw a grand total of £5675.00 being raised. Which was allocated as follows: Alnwick Dolphins received £1560.00, Alnwick Rugby Club Juniors and Minis collected £1400.00, Alnwick Town Football Club were awarded £1350.00, and Alnmouth & Lesbury Cricket Club received £1000.00.
“We are so lucky in Northumberland to boast some of the country’s best farmers and food producers and to be able to celebrate it in this way has been tremendous.
Supporting local junior sports teams with much needed funds at a local level has been great too, and we want to thank everyone for getting involved and supporting us throughout the week’ added Mark.”
Turnbull’s owner Mark Turnbull was delighted with the way the week went
‘’We were delighted to be able to help Turnbull’s in their foodie celebrations and their fund-raising efforts – we had a great time.’’
With Sian adding: ”Working with the team at Turnbull’s has inspired all of the team at Pine, and as a result we’re now planning a very special fund-raising event of our own, which will take place in 2024.”
Restaurant Pine’s co-owner Sian Byerley
Turnbull’s are set to do it all again next year, with plans to run the festival next September, with further information to be announced soon.
To find out more visit: www.turnbullsfood.co.uk
