Terry Laybourne to provide pearls of wisdom to young chefs

One of the North East’s top chefs hopes to put an old head on young shoulders, when he addresses the next generation at a food festival in the region. Terry Laybourne MBE, founder of 21 Hospitality Group, was the first chef to bring a Michelin star to the region, when he opened Newcastle’s 21 Queen Street in 1988 Now, almost 30 years later, he will fly the flag for age and experience to an audience of up and coming young chefs from across the UK. Terry will be a keynote speaker at the Universal Cookery and Food Festival 2015, Vallum Farm, near Matfen, Northumberland, on September 23. The festival aims to give chefs up and down the country the opportunity to meet and talk directly with game-keepers, farmers, growers and food producers and is being held in the north of England for the first time. Newcastle-born Terry will head a roll call of chefs and senior industry figures sharing their ‘pearls of wisdom’ and talking about the twists and turns of their careers in an informal, conversational-style, discussion at the one-day trade event. “The great thing about a career in cookery is that it offers such diversity and longevity,” said Terry. “The messages we’ll be delivering to the young chefs at the event are that there is more than one route to take and that you never stop learning. “Even after all my years in the industry, I’m still learning from the young people in my employ and they, in turn, benefit from my experience. That’s really the recipe for a successful team; a combination of young chefs with new ideas and techniques and older chefs, with well-honed skills and experience - and events like this are really important because they bring the two together.” Some of the UK’s biggest caterers, retailers and restaurant chains have also signed up to take part in the festival, including Sodexo, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. Other attractions will include a farmers’ market, showcasing the finest produce, ingredients and equipment from national and regional suppliers and an Innovation Zone, displaying and demonstrating new culinary products and produce. Attendees will also be able to sample a wide range of food at the event, which will draw to a close with an evening barbecue, local band and free beer in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall. Producers and suppliers wishing to exhibit at the Universal Cookery and Food Festival 2015 can call 01293 854 403 or email [email protected] Tickets to attend the event cost £99 per person plus VAT and include access to the full event, exhibition and refreshments along with live music and the evening barbecue. Attendees can register online at www.cookeryandfoodfestival.co.uk.