Taste of success

About 100 restaurateurs and hoteliers from across the region enjoyed a four-course meal to celebrate the success of the Monday supplement since it was first published at the beginning of August.

Daily Echo editor Neal Butterworth was unable to attend the evening, but in a message relayed to guests via video, he explained how Taste was "something unique".

He said: "Some months ago I sat down and thought what supplement would people want to buy - what is it that people want to do most and enjoy most?

"Well, we couldn't do a supplement about that so it was either Manchester United or food and drink.

"On August 2 we brought out the first 12-page regional daily newspaper supplement to be created about food and drink.

"We realised immediately that there were an incredible number of fantastic restaurants in this area and some of the people here tonight represent those restaurants. We are committed to forging a relationship with the industry in this area and giving them an opportunity to promote their own businesses."

Queen's Hotel executive chef Will Summerell devised a special menu for the evening, aimed at using a variety of ingredients to demonstrate the versatility of his kitchen team.

Before every course, guests were shown a short video demonstration of how each dish was prepared, beginning with a vegetarian starter, a fish course, a chicken course and dessert.

Alan Stevens, group operations manager for Blue Mermaid Hotels - which sponsored the event along with the Horizon Motor Company - explained the accompanying wines.

Daily Echo managing director Mike Wright concluded the evening by saying: "Taste is something we've really wanted to do in the newspaper for quite a while, for the local community and particularly for the hotels and restaurants. If you're interested in food and drink, do read Monday's paper.

"We're going to try and make it a strong local flavour of what's going on and we rely on your support."

First published: November 15