Interview: NE1 Restaurant Week highlights city’s “vibrant and expanding” culinary scene

Following the announcement that January 16 to 22 will, once again, play host to NE1’s popular Restaurant Week, we spoke with Rachel Barlow, NE1’s marketing and events manager regarding what this year’s iteration will have in store for foodies, as well as the role the event will play in the current economic climate. Read on to find out more…

What can you tell us about this year’s newcomer restaurants?

This January’s NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week has broken all records for the number of participating restaurants, with 118 venues taking part in the event.

We are delighted to have a healthy smattering of new restaurants among the line-up including Thali Tray at its new premises at Bealim House and NUFC offering diners a pitch-side dining experience at St James’ Park.

There really is something for everyone to try and enjoy during the event. The newcomers show the richness of Newcastle’s restaurant scheme and highlight how the sector is vibrant and expanding.

The newcomers are all independents, Pepo, Missy Milieu’s, NUFC, Thali Tray, Chart House, Lui’s, George’s Fish Shack and Liberty House, which reflects the strength of the city’s independent restaurant scene.

With last year’s event providing a record-breaking boost to the city’s economy, what are the expectations for this year?

With 118 restaurants, we have already broken records for the number of venues taking part and we hope that this will be reflected in the economic boost for businesses, at a usually quiet time of year.

Feedback from restaurants has already shown that many restaurants are already fully booked for some nights of the week, so we are confident that the event will prove tremendously popular again for 2023.

There is always a great appetite from the public for Restaurant Week and we know it creates a real buzz in the city, as well as boosting business for participating restaurants at what can be a tricky time of the year for the industry.

How would you say an event such as this fits in with the currently challenging economic climate?

We first launched NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week in 2011 to support the restaurant industry at two of the traditionally quietest times of the year, January when people were tightening their belts after Christmas, and August when people tended to be on holiday.

The idea was to encourage people to visit venues knowing that they would enjoy some of the city’s best restaurants at a fraction of the usual cost. This resonates just as much today when times are tough for many.

The event continues to support the restaurant industry, which is hugely important for the city’s economy, providing thousands of jobs for local people, and adds vibrancy to Newcastle’s cultural offer, as well as the subsidiary benefits for nearby businesses such as bars, taxis, public transport and others during the event, as well as boosting business for the restaurant supply chain.

What is your go-to dish when eating out, and what drink would you pair it with?

Working my third Restaurant Week event, I will try to eat out and support as many venues as I can. My go-to-dish differs depending on where I’m dining and I love the diversity and choice that Newcastle’s restaurant scene offers. I tend to go for Indian or Thai based venues which are full of colour and the smells transport you from the moment you walk through the door.

In winter, I love nothing more than hearty, warming dishes like pork belly, slow-cooked beef, and of course, you can’t beat pie and mash paired with a good, local beer!

Is there anything you can tell us about the next Restaurant Week later this year?

As soon as January’s event is over, we will start planning August’s NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, alongside NE1’s Summer in the City events programme, and we’ll confirm the dates for the summer event in due course. Details of all NE1’s events are updated on www.getintonewcastle.co.uk website.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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