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Behind the ‘gram: Charlotte Kidd Eats

With most restaurants recently reopening, naturally, this week, we’ve decided to interview one of the North East’s most prominent food bloggers, @CharlotteKidd.Eats.

Written by High Life North
Published 14.07.2020

By Bekki Ramsay

As a lover of dining in and out, Charlotte’s feed is a mix of recommendations, recipes and (honest) reviews – teamed, of course, with such delicious looking imagery that’s destined to make your stomach rumble. So, whether you’re a foodie or unsure of where to get grub in the North East, then Charlotte’s Instagram is definitely worth following.

But before that, why not get to know the girl behind the ‘gram?

From your regular restaurant reviews to sharing your daily deliciously cooked meals, you’re clearly a lover of a good-quality meal! However, what sparked this love of yours? Does a particular memory stick out for you?

From being a child who visited their grandparents for a family meal to my dad always getting creative in the kitchen at home whilst I helped out with the easier bits – food has always been a big part of my life. I guess this is why I was never a fussy child either – I was always given the same food that my parents would eat which, on reflection, I’m really grateful for as I do believe it made me a foodie from a young bag.

In terms of a particular memory that sticks out is when we spent one summer holiday in Torquay, and one day we went out for a Sunday dinner. I think I was only around eight years old, but I had such a huge plate and all and I remember the waitress being shocked that a small child could eat it all – including the veg!

 

With restaurants now open, are they are any particular places that you can’t wait to visit?

The one place that I’m most excited to go back to is The Patricia. My parents and I were actually booked for a meal earlier in the year, but naturally, 2020 was turned upside down so we didn’t get a chance to visit. But this has only made us even more excited to finally visit them again. I can’t wait for the dining-in experience.

You love getting creative in the kitchen so you’ll no doubt have tried to recreate a dish from one of your favourite restaurants. If so, which dish have you tried to recreate and how did it go down? Or if you haven’t, which local restaurant dish would you like to try and replicate?

Surprisingly, I can’t think of an exact dish I’ve tried to recreate entirely but I have definitely taken inspiration from various dishes at restaurants. For example, Zucchini used to sell a delicious spaghetti with grated courgette, shrimps and lemon, which made for the most perfect of summery dishes. However, when I found out they were no longer selling it, I did try and recreate a pasta dish inspired by their version, but with a few added twists, as I like to create my own recipes as opposed to directly following instructions. To be honest, when it comes to cooking, I mainly just take inspiration from the food I see on Instagram, which I’ll then have a go at trying myself.

Whilst in lockdown, you’ve been supporting local businesses by ordering the odd takeaway. Which takeaways would you recommend for those who aren’t quite ready to revisit their favourite restaurants in person?

By a couple, I think you mean a million, haha. In the last few months, we’ve definitely had more takeaways than we normally would, but I wouldn’t change it. Normally, we’d eat out quite a bit so instead of dining in, we were just dining more at home, and support local businesses. In terms of a stand-out takeaway, it would have to be Smoke & Sear Newcastle, who people may know as Shanty Town BBQ, but they recently rebranded. I had the surf ‘n’ turf dish and it was truly amazing!

Okay, quick-fire questions – the best place in the North East for:

Brunch? Stark’s Kitchen

Cheap lunch? Gingerinos

Fancy dinner? Peace & Loaf

Sunday dinner? The Broadchare

Something quirky? Pablo Eggs Go Bao

Something comforting? The Woodman’s Arms

Sweet Treat? Proven Goods Co for their doughnuts.

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https://www.instagram.com/charlottekidd.eats/?hl=en
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