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A Culinary Adventure at Newcastle's Food and Beer Festival

  • Writer: Gregory Devine
    Gregory Devine
  • Oct 16, 2023
  • 4 min read

I Tried a Food and Beer Festival

Enjoying a beer flight at outdoor beer festival

It's my second year at university, and I'm still loving it, especially trying new things. Last weekend provided a perfect opportunity to try something new when Newcastle's big food festival of the year came to town.


Wylam Brewery in Newcastle
Photo by Chabe01

Newcastle's stunning Wylam Brewery was the perfect setting for a great day out. It's found in Exhibition Park, a place I know very well, having lived next to it in my first-year university accommodation halls. My friends and I arrived at the brewery, where our first plan of action was to purchase tokens, which we could then exchange for a plethora of street food. It was £4 per token, which, at first, I thought was quite expensive, but maybe in the current economic climate, this could be considered reasonable or even cheap.


After purchasing our tokens, it was time to grab a pint. There were so many options, including beers, ciders, lagers, and IPAs, with the majority being craft. These certainly weren't cheap, but you don't expect them to be when they aren't your typical branded stuff. I went for a pint of IPA called "Beyond the Dream," which was exactly what I wanted but very strong. It's fair to say that after a couple of these, you were certainly beginning to feel it. This was £8 per pint, which normally I would cringe at seeing, but I already knew this was going to be an expensive day, so I had tried to save accordingly.


With a pint in hand, it was time to experience the main event: food! I started off with a Thai-inspired fish taco. While the taco shell itself wasn't very large, they definitely didn't hold back on filling it up. The flavours were amazing, a good mix of sweet and savoury with a spicy kick that was small yet did the job perfectly. I noticed an odd texture to the fish, only to then realise it wasn't fish but a plant-based substitute. It's amazing how close they can get the flavouring of fish into these substitutes, but I still feel the texture isn't quite there yet and could potentially be off-putting. This was probably my least favourite dish of the day. That's not to say it wasn't tasty; it tasted better than some of the other foods I tried, but I felt the portion size was a little stingy considering the price of the token.


The next place I tried was an Indian street food stall. Here, I had a chicken tikka wrap, which might sound a little boring at a street food event, but that didn't stop it from being delicious. The sauce was perfect, just the right amount of spice, and with the big chicken chunks that required no chewing, it's fair to say I loved this dish. It was wrapped in a thick homemade naan bread, making the perfect combination. The portion size was good too, so you might be surprised to see me put this at the bottom of my rankings. I can't fault anything about it, but the flavours of the fish taco mean the tikka wrap goes into 4th place with the taco in 3rd.



A nice looking Pint of Beer

After grabbing another pint, this time a DIPA called "Revenge of the Greenbutt Skunk" which was ridiculously strong yet so enjoyable, it was time to try what my friend had described as the best pizza in Newcastle. The slice came from a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza pie. They make their pizzas look like desserts as a cool gimmick that works even better because the pizza tastes so good. I couldn't even begin to describe to you what toppings were on that pizza because there were so many. The flavours of tomato, meat, and vegetables were the main things I remember taste-wise, but the main thing I remember about that pizza is just how much I enjoyed eating it. The company has a permanent shop in Newcastle that I must try, as I was told by my friend it's even tastier when you order from there. This was easily my second favourite dish, which should give you some idea of just how good my favourite was.


With my last token, I had a Korean barbecue pulled pork sandwich. That might sound very boring and basic, but it was the complete opposite. The bread was homemade and was easily the nicest bread I've ever tried. The crust was so crunchy, yet the dough inside was almost bubbly, filled with so many little air pockets. The pork was incredible and topped with the Korean barbecue sauce; this was a perfect pulled pork sandwich and a perfect way to end my day of tasting food.


Probably the best part of this event was how it catered to everybody. There were university students, families with young children, workdays out, and so many dogs. The park is very easy to get to and just on the outskirts of the city centre, so it's fair to say there were plenty of people there. Set over two days, I'd be interested to know how much the event made; I'm sure it made a fair few pennies.


Nintendo Switch 2 Launches to Record Sales, Mixed Reviews, and Market Shifts

Nintendo Switch 2 Launches to Record Sales, Mixed Reviews, and Market Shifts

12 June 2025

Paul Francis

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After months of speculation and mounting anticipation, Nintendo has launched the Switch 2 in the UK and globally, marking a significant step forward for the Japanese gaming giant. The hybrid console, which was released on 3 June, has already become Nintendo’s fastest-selling device, shifting over 3.5 million units in just four days.


Nintendo Switch OLED box on red background, featuring console, Joy-Cons, and Mario Kart 8 logo. The packaging includes action imagery.

The console launched in the UK at £379.99 for the standard edition, with the “Deluxe Set” bundling in Mario Kart World and enhanced Joy-Con controllers for £429.99. Despite the hefty price tag, retailers reported widespread sell-outs within hours of release. GAME and Argos saw queues online and in-store, with some high street stores reporting stock shortages through the first weekend.

"The screen is beautiful, the new Joy-Cons feel far sturdier, and I love how snappy the menus are."

Jason Webb, a gamer from Leeds

Launch Line-Up and New Features

The Switch 2 arrived with a launch line-up headlined by Mario Kart World, Pikmin 5, and Splatoon Nova, with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Depths set to follow in July. The console features a brighter 1080p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, upgraded internal storage, and improved detachable controllers. Nintendo has also introduced GameChat, its first in-built voice and video chat system, seen by many as a long overdue step into modern multiplayer gaming.


Early Market Jitters Now Easing

When Nintendo confirmed the console back in January, investors were not immediately convinced. Shares dipped nearly 7 per cent in Tokyo, with analysts criticising the reveal as thin on detail. The company was tight-lipped about the price, backwards compatibility, and exact release date, leading some to worry that Nintendo was not ready to compete with devices like the Steam Deck or PlayStation Portal.


However, as pre-orders sold out in April and early reviews trickled in, investor confidence returned. By late May, Nintendo’s stock had climbed to record highs, with analysts from Jefferies and Goldman Sachs issuing strong buy recommendations. Goldman expects long-term growth from the console, forecasting that it could sell over 60 million units during its lifespan.

Close-up of blue and red handheld game controllers against a dark background, with buttons and joystick visible. Vibrant colors.

What Users Think of the Switch 2?

Despite commercial success and analyst optimism, the Switch 2 has divided opinion among users. While many in the UK gaming community have praised the device as a worthy successor, others feel it fails to justify its premium price or fully resolve lingering issues from the original console.


The Good

For those upgrading from the original Switch, the improvements are tangible. "The screen is beautiful, the new Joy-Cons feel far sturdier, and I love how snappy the menus are," said Jason Webb, a gamer from Leeds who picked up his Switch 2 on launch day. Online forums and subreddits have filled with praise for the display, improved load times, and the seamless nature of GameChat.


Others have applauded Nintendo’s decision not to reinvent the wheel. “It’s exactly what I wanted – more power, better battery, and still the same pick-up-and-play feel,” wrote one user on r/NintendoUK.


The Bad

However, not everyone is impressed. A common criticism has been the console’s high price, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. “£429 for a new console when I still have a perfectly good Switch? Nintendo’s taking the mickey,” said Sarah Khan, a student in Manchester.


Battery life has also come under scrutiny. Some users reported shorter-than-expected play times during launch week, prompting Nintendo to acknowledge a software bug that would be addressed in a future update. There have also been concerns about the magnetic controller attachments. “The little nub is already bending, and I’ve only had it a week. My kid snapped the last one in two months,” one frustrated parent shared on Facebook.


Another sore point is the sense that the Switch 2 is more of a refinement than a revolution.

“It feels like a Switch Pro, not a new generation. Where’s the wow factor?”

Reddit user @WanderingPlumber.


The Road Ahead

Despite some early growing pains, the Switch 2 is off to a flying start. It has reignited interest in physical game releases, brought Nintendo back into the conversation around social and multiplayer innovation, and won over a loyal base of fans who see it as the best version of the console to date.


As the console heads into its second month, all eyes will be on Nintendo’s software pipeline. With the promise of a new Zelda, Pokémon Revival later this year, and strong third-party support, the Switch 2 may yet prove to be more than just a refresh. But with rivals looming and expectations sky-high, Nintendo has little room for error.


Whether the Switch 2 becomes a long-term game-changer or a short-term spike remains to be seen. What’s clear for now is that it has already made its mark.

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