Learn the secrets of professional forager Alysia Vasey at Sunderland Food and Drink Festival

A professional forager is set to share the secrets of her success with culinary fans at this year’s Sunderland Food and Drink Festival.
Alysia Vasey is one of the UK’s leading professional foragers.Alysia Vasey is one of the UK’s leading professional foragers.
Alysia Vasey is one of the UK’s leading professional foragers.

Alysia Vasey – who counts some of the country’s top Michelin starred chefs among her clients – will be holding a talk and demonstration at the event taking place this weekend.

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Organised by Sunderland BID, RR Events and Sunderland City Council, it will take place across a number of sites in the city including Keel Square, High Street West, Market Square and Blandford Street.

Alysia – who supplies some of the biggest names in the restaurant trade including Michael Wignall and Andrew Pern – will be appearing at the event on Saturday, June 22, as part of a packed programme of entertainment throughout the day.

She will hold her session in the marquee at Keel Square from 11am, where she will be showcasing a range of botanicals and highlighting how to process wild plants.

The forager will also demonstrate how to make a professional cordial with a three year shelf life.

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Alysia previously produced her own cordial range which were sold through a leading national chain store.

The session will also be a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn how to get a product on the supermarket shelves, as Alysia will share the secrets of her career success.

She said: “I’m really excited to have been asked to take part in the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival.

“It’s a great opportunity to dispel some of the myths around foraging and hopefully share some interesting information.”

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Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland BID, said she is delighted that Alysia will be taking part .

She said: “Alysia has an amazing reputation and a huge amount of knowledge and we are very excited that she’s agreed to join us.”

Also appearing at the event will be Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Katy Ashworth from CBeebies and TV chef Dean Edwards.