A month of food and drink excitement unveiled for Newcastle

Newcastle is the gateway to the Hunter Valley; a hip and happening spot with some glorious beaches. 

Now, following a successful inaugural year, Newcastle Food Month 2022 has been officially launched, with a program of events spanning the month of April and highlighting the culinary and creative talent of Newcastle’s food scene.

There’s an event for just about everyone with a palate in this year’s plentiful program - an opera with dinner in a brewery; dining in a gin distillery and any number of degustations: Spanish, Italian, Thai, seafood or even matched with cocktails.

There is even a sustainable progressive lunch taking over a floor of hotel suites.

The big names on Newcastle’s dining scene including Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley, The Flotilla, Restaurant Mason, Nagisa, Harrisons and Rustica, have designed their own unique events. 

Cakeboi Reece Hignell (sorry, never heard of him but he might be big locally), teams up with Foghorn brewery and is also hosting a series of high teas.

Plate Date returns, with over 40 dining establishments offering a brunch, lunch or dinner, including a beverage, for only $25. 

Event organiser Louise Maher says: “There really is something for everyone who likes eating out, and on any budget.

“While obviously the program heroes are food and Newcastle, we can’t forget that our immediate aim is to re-activate our hospitality businesses who we all know have had a tough couple of years. 

"We encourage both Novocastrians and visitors to our great city to jump into this program and show them our support.

“Long term our aim is simple, to make Newcastle Food Month the leading regional food event in the country. Think Orange, Noosa and Margaret River - we all know we can do it!”

The signature event - Le Diner en Blanc - also returns to Newcastle for its second year. 

A crowd of 1,250 guests is expected do visit a secret location in the city on Saturday, April 2.

“It was an incredible and emotional response from so many guests last year, and the feeling that yes, Newcastle is indeed good enough to host a high quality, international event such as Le Diner en Blanc has shown in this years ticket pre-release already,” says Maher. 

Complete details of Food Month events can be found at www.newcastlefoodmonth.com.au

Travel writer pivots into the accommodation business

Who would know more about curating the perfect holiday cottage than a professional travel writer? 

The River Haus – a luxe cottage in the historic river port town of Morpeth in the Hunter Valley - is the creation of travel writer Sheriden Rhodes and Tom Szecsodi, a property developer, who live in nearby Newcastle. 

The River Haus, due top open in December, is described as a "luxurious sojourn melding old and new" – it it just over two hours’ drive north of Sydney. 

The River Haus is set behind a white picket fence, is close to the Hunter River and overlooks the historic St James Anglican Church. 

Guests can stroll to Morpeth's heritage-listed main street, picnic on the river bank and dine at the lauded Boydell Cellar Door and Restaurant (which is just 50 metres from the back gate).

The country cottage accommodates up to four guests and has been designed with couples in mind and boasts a wood fire. 

There’s a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, Nespresso coffee machine, Bosch dishwasher and stove, Smeg kettle and toaster, leather lounge, ducted air-conditioning, 65cm Smart TV and JBL sound bar.

Two identical guestrooms offer queen size iron beds with AH Beard mattresses, blackout blinds, quality linen and antique wardrobes. 

A separate office-cum-library (along with fast wifi throughout the house) allows guests to work from home. 

The outdoor entertaining space leads to a private rear garden complete with fire pit where guests can gather with glass of wine in hand. 

“We love Morpeth, Australia’s second-oldest river port," the couple says. "This quaint riverside town offers old school pubs, local artisans, sandstone buildings, cafes, the historic Arnott Bakehouse and a rare timber truss road bridge which spans the Hunter River. 

"You can take a carriage ride pulled by Clydesdales, shop at farm gates and taste award-winning small- batch wines. 

“We hope guests staying at the River Haus feel refreshed taking walks down country lanes, breathing in fresh air, sleeping on cotton sheets and waking to bird song and the peal of church bells. We also hope our new venture sheds light on Morpeth’s storied past and its significant role in the development of the Hunter and the fledgling colony.”

 Bookings from $525 per night (minimum two-night stay) through Airbnb.

 See riverhaus.com.au