Leeds cheesemonger, George & Joseph, has been named a regional winner at the 2026 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, cementing its reputation as one of the UK independent food retailer. The Chapel Allerton-based business was recognised as the North East regional winner at the national awards, which celebrate the very best specialist food retailers across the UK.

Nestled in the heart of the Lake District, Grasmere Distillery is preparing to take a significant step forward in its journey to create a truly local whisky. From autumn 2026, the distillery will begin small-scale malting on site, marking the start of its ambition to produce the first whisky made entirely from Cumbrian ingredients.

For generations, the British cup of tea has followed a simple formula: strong black tea, a splash of cow’s milk, and nothing too experimental. But as National Tea Day (21 April) approaches, tea experts at Birchall, the nation’s most awarded tea for taste, are encouraging the nation to rethink what goes into their cup.

With just a few spaces remaining, guests have the opportunity to savour dishes from five of the Northwest’s award-winning chefs, who are coming together for an exclusive fundraising evening on Tuesday, 24th March from 6.15pm at Lancaster & Morecambe College. The event aims to raise vital funds for local charity CancerCare, which operates four centres across North Lancashire and South Cumbria.

If you love Italian food, then you are bound to love Riva Blu. For this is no ordinary restaurant but one that gives a true taste of Southern Italy. It’s no secret that Italians are passionate about their food, and this passion is reflected in the menu, service and food at Riva Blu.

“Wow” was the only word I could utter when I stepped into the foyer of the freshly renovated and fabulously reimagined Hotel Metropole, now known as The Met. My last visit to the hotel was as a small child in the 60s when, along with my mother, I was a guest at a relative’s silver wedding party.

Salford-based brewer Hydes has revealed its new ale line-up for 2026, a 12-month celebration of creative hairstyles brought to life through a series of characterful cask releases. Each monthly release delivers a carefully brewed style supported by bold pump clip designs that reflect the theme. Bar runners and posters feature the strapline ‘a style for everyone’.

The team at a North Yorkshire whisky distillery is celebrating after being named one of the top 50 spirits producers in the world. Hunmanby Single Estate, single malt whisky distillery, Spirit of Yorkshire, was awarded the accolade by the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) on account of its consistent quality, excellence and success in the last three competitions.

Fresh from being noted as one of IWSC’s top 50 spirits producers in the world, distillers at Yorkshire’s first whisky distillery have revealed details of their annual Sherry Cask Reserve release. For 2025, the sixth release in this highly regarded series marries whisky that has been aged in ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks.

Richard Hurst freely admits he “loves the whole food experience,” but it was a change in lifestyle that inspired him to learn to cook. “In my teens and early twenties I made some bad choices in regard to my lifestyle and diet.