Chef serves up roadside venture

A Northumberland catering business is bringing homemade breakfasts, lunches and gourmet street food to drivers and visitors travelling along one of the county’s busiest coastal routes.

The Real Taste of Northumberland has opened a new roadside catering pod at Hawk Hill Business Park on the A1068 between Alnwick and Lesbury.

The venture is led by chef Adele Johnson, who has more than 40 years’ experience working across pubs, hotels, restaurants, fish and chip shops and event venues.

Adele’s new pod serves freshly prepared food using local produce, including homemade cakes, breakfasts, lunches and the company’s popular sausage rolls. 

A new pork, chutney and cheese sausage roll has also been added to the menu.

Adele said the move into a smaller and more flexible setup allows her to focus on quality cooking while continuing to build the business she has developed across Northumberland.

The site also features outdoor seating and easy roadside access for passing customers.

Adele said: “We are a catering company who like to provide delicious food using local produce. 

“I’ve been a chef for 40 years and I just love what I do. 

“We provide the food people want, and everything is homemade.”

She added: “You can’t really miss us. 

“We’ve got a big flag outside and we’re right at the bottom as you pull into Hawkhill Business Park. 

“It’s lovely out here and we’re just friendly people. 

“Anybody can come and see us.”

The catering pod has quickly built a reputation for food that goes far beyond the traditional roadside burger van.

Adele added: “We do burgers, but we do a smash burger made with steak mince, topped with crispy bacon and cheese and served with chips and homemade slaw. 

“We get brilliant reviews for it. 

It’s proper chef food.”

Alongside the catering pod, The Real Taste of Northumberland continues to provide buffets, hog roasts and outside catering for weddings, parties, funerals and corporate events across the region.

Adele is joined in the business by her daughter Abbie, who helps run the new venture.

Adele added: “We still do hog roasts, buffets and outside catering. 

“We have a real family business here and it’s even better that everyone can enjoy our home cooking from our own doorstep.” 

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