Northumberland B&B reinvents tapas night with help from local food and drink producers
A Spanish-inspired tapas and charcuterie evening at an Otterburn B&B has marked the start of a new programme of themed food and drink nights celebrating Northumberland's local producers.
The sold-out event at Butterchurn reimagined the traditional sharing-plates format using ingredients sourced almost entirely from within a few miles of the kitchen.
Spanish chorizo was braised in Alnwick Cider from Alnwick Brewery in place of sherry, nettle cheese from the Northumberland Cheese Co. stood in for manchego on the charcuterie board, and blistered padrón peppers were finished with rock salt supplied and smoked by John Bailey in Alnwick.
The full menu also included Northumbrian beef frikadeller in a home-grown basil and tomato sauce, bacon-wrapped medjool dates glazed with Northumbrian honey, a meat feast frittata made with local farm eggs, and tempura langoustines with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.
Following its success, Butterchurn plans to run a regular series of themed eating nights, each built around Northumbrian produce prepared using traditional, clean cooking methods.
The theme will change with every event, giving guests a new dining experience each time.
Darren Taylor, owner, said: “There’s clearly an appetite for evenings that blend international flavours with hyper-local sourcing, and for the sense of discovery that comes with genuinely not knowing what a Northumbrian tapas dish might taste like until you try it.”
Each evening will include tastings and pairings of local beers, ales and spirits alongside the food. Guests will be able to choose from a range of ways to attend: residential, all-inclusive packages priced at £99 per person for those staying overnight; food and drink packages at £20 based on two people sharing, or £40 including drinks pairings; or food-only options for guests eating in, with takeaway also being explored for future events.
A full calendar of events is planned throughout the summer.
As part of this expansion, Butterchurn B&B is inviting local food and drink producers — including farms, cheesemakers, butchers, breweries and distilleries — to get in touch about partnering on future themed evenings.
The B&B has already hosted its first wellness weekend, which was hailed a great success by guests, and has several more retreats in the pipeline. As this side of the business grows, Butterchurn B&B is keen to hear from providers of wellness therapies interested in being involved.