Readers enjoy finer things in life as magazine comes alive

About 8,000 readers flocked to the Great Yorkshire Showground for the first Yorkshire Post Magazine Live event to enjoy demonstrations, masterclasses and stalls showcasing some of the region’s brightest talent.

More than 50 exhibitors from all four corners of the county were plying their wares at the free lifestyle show, held at Pavilions of Harrogate.

Among the culinary attractions was Stephanie Moon, head chef at Harrogate hotel Rudding Park’s double AA rosette-winning Clocktower restaurant.

Ms Moon, who appeared on BBC2 cookery series Great British Menu this year, said it had been “absolutely heaving” at her demonstration, adding: “We got a full house. Everyone is very interested in local food.”

Joining her in cooking up a storm were John Rudden, head chef at double rosette winning Grassington House and Lee Bennett, executive chef of two new restaurants in the Trinity Leeds shopping centre, Crafthouse and Angelica.

Award-winning Yorkshire Post wine writer Christine Austin was also a popular draw as she filled readers’ glasses with some of the tipples on offer in this month’s Yorkshire Post Wine Club selection from inside a yurt.

Each of the tastings she led had been packed out and the event overall had been hugely successful, she said.

“So many people were saying how good the wines are in the Yorkshire Post Wine Club and there were quite a few people who didn’t know we had one,” she said.

“I’m delighted to have met so many readers and to have got some wine in their glasses.”

The Italian Villa Sandi sparkling rosé and the French Monastier Shiraz, which are both available in the club’s April case, had gone down particularly well, she said.

“People just loved those,” she said. “It’s been a really nice weekend. People have been happy to see a little bit of sunshine and they were really interested in all the exhibits.”

Interior designers Jamie Hempsall, a member of the British Institute of Interior Design and regular Yorkshire Post columnist, and Tricia Douglas were also at the event sharing their ideas on how to transform living spaces.

Other lifestyle offerings included a knitting masterclass by expert Julie Arnfield-Crowther, who was showing crafts fans how to improve their skills and create woollen accessories.

And Sheffield-based Lee Bestall, Grand Designs’ Garden Designer of the Year 2012, was on hand to share his favourite spring plants and flowers and offer tips for successful garden design.

Organisers said the event embodied the content and ethos of the supplement.

Sally O’Neill, northern events manager at Johnston Press, which publishes the Yorkshire Post, said: “The Yorkshire Post magazine is a fabulous product packed with food, drink, lifestyle and fashion and someone came up with the idea: ‘Let’s bring that to life’.”

It is hoped the show could be bi-annual from next year following the success of the inaugural event.

“We can see two a year from 2014, a spring and autumn event,” said Johnston Press events and exhibitions executive Helen Kershaw.

“It is one of the best events we have done so far, the outcome and the turnout of visitors has been great.”

The Yorkshire Post magazine, which is available every Saturday with the newspaper, was 
named Supplement of the Year 
at last year’s Regional Press Awards following a major revamp in 2011.