THE North-East hospitality industry is banding together to create a "taste club" aimed at helping producers and suppliers survive coronavirus.

The Taste Club is a subscription box service which will use products produced in the region such as craft spirits, along with snack items created locally and recipe cards from celebrity and regional chefs.

It has been set up by Valda Goodfellow, managing director of tableware supplier Goodfellow and Goodfellow, and Georga Spottiswood, creator of food and drink magazine, Savour.

It was due to launch in the summer but has been brought forward to help struggling producers.

They said: "Although the hospitality industry is in crisis, we are looking at new ways to reach consumers and give them an ‘at home’ experience they will love.

"Taste Club plans were in the pipeline, with the concept launching in the summer, but this seems like an important time to bring more opportunities to local producers, chefs and mixologists whilst showing consumers what this amazing region has to offer.”

One of the first North-East makers to sign up is Paul Colman, founder of Darlington-based The Little Quaker Distillery.

“It’s about sticking together,” he said. “You have to react and think on your feet as to what you can do differently – and this is a fantastic way to support us local producers and get our products out to the public. Without it, and other initiatives that have been set up, we could all be facing closure.”

Boxes will have different themes, with different ranges of food and drink.

Ms Spottiswood added: "We’ve lined up the producers and a team of top chefs who are currently working on fun recipe ideas so we can wage war on boredom.”

The recipe cards from chefs and mixologists will be supported by a series of videos, which will run across Savour’s and Peterlee-based-Goodfellows & Goodfellows and Goodfellows at home platforms in the interim period while a Taste Club website is set up.

They will teach people how to make dishes, craft cocktails at home, as well as meet the makers of the produce.

Other companies which have signed up include Moorland Spirit Company, which has Hepple Gin, in Northumberland, Durham Distillery and Weardale Cheese.

Taste Club is part of a wider SAVeOUR North campaign, which will also focus on a series of videos for the family, with chefs showing how to batch cook and keep children entertained.

The region’s drink producers will also be hosting mixology classes across Savour’s digital platforms to give people ideas of how they can still have fun at home and be safe.

Anyone who wants to subscribe or to find out more should contact georga@savour-magazine.co.uk.