AN acclaimed forager, who supplies some of the UK’s top Michelin star chefs, will be heading to Sunderland as part of a special one-off event for the city’s Food and Drink Fest.

Alysia Vasey, AKA The Yorkshire Forager, is regularly seen on James Martin’s Saturday Show and is soon to appear with Ainsley Harriott on his new television series.

And now the expert, who also has a best-selling book about her life, will be joining forces with Sunderland’s newest restaurant for a special dinner which will showcase seasonal ingredients and Alysia’s own foraged foods.

Alysia is working with chef Chris Spence, owner of Undisclosed at John Street, to create a unique menu for the dining experience on 21 June.

Guests will be able to enjoy dishes such as scallops with celeriac velouté, salt marsh lamb with seasonal herbs, gurnard with sea aster and sweet woodruff panna cotta with textures of alpine strawberries.

The menu will showcase many of the seasonal ingredients Alysia is renowned for and the event will also offer the opportunity to hear her story on how she became a forager and the people she supplies.

Tickets for the event, which includes a welcome cocktail featuring Alysia’s Yorkshire Forager gin which is produced by Sunderland distillery, Poetic License, and the four course dinner plus talk are £65 each.

A limited number of VIP tickets are also available at £95 which includes a goody bag with a bottle of Yorkshire Forager gin – which retails at £39.95 - and a copy of Alysia’s book (rrp £9.99) which she will sign at the event.

“I’m very excited to be working with Chris at Undisclosed on what we hope will be a very special evening,” said Alysia.

“There’ll be some exceptional flavours which people may not have tried before and it will also be a great opportunity to sample Chris’ brilliant cooking.”

Working with foraged foods is something that the chef is very passionate about and he’s delighted to have the opportunity to showcase them at this event.

“It’s great to be part of the Sunderland Food and Drink Fest and we are hopefully going to be offering something really different for people to try,” he said.

“Alysia is someone at the top of her game and hopefully this will be the first of many opportunities to work together.”

Tickets for the dinner – which starts at 6.30pm – are available by contacting the restaurant on 0191 565 1988.

The dinner is part of a full programme of events taking place in person and virtually throughout June at the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival, organised by Sunderland BID and Sunderland City Council.

Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID said this should be a great evening.

“Alysia is well known from her tv appearances and it’s amazing to have been able to get her involved in the festival,” she said.

“It’s just another addition to a really exciting programme and we hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend.”

Cllr Linda Williams, Portfolio Holder for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: “Having Alysia appearing at the Sunderland Food and Drink festival is very exciting, and I am sure that many of her fans will definitely be buying tickets.