In 2007 Simon co-founded EAT! NewcastleGatehead, a festival of innovative & extraordinary adventures in food. Over 9 annual festivals EAT! grew to become one of the UK’s most admired food festivals and largest city-based food event.

A BBC Radio 4 Food Programme about EAT! was presented by Simon in 2009.

Over 8 years EAT! earned a reputation for breaking new ground in socially engaged food experiences. Scores of event formats have been created, some of the highlights are:

EAT!NG – A Secret Restaurant – The UK’s first pop-up (or guerrilla) restaurant, created with Michelin-starred chef Paul Kitching in Saltwell Towers, Gateshead.

The Food Adventure Playground – A series of oversized games, game shows and installations devised with and built by artist Adam Riley. Hilarious and quietly informative food fun for all the family.

Dans Le Noir? – A restaurant in complete, pitch darkness served by blind waiters, an exploration of the way we experience food through our senses.

EAT! Carter – A restaurant inspired by the movie Get Carter which was filmed in Newcastle, suspended from a crane 70m in the air at one of the iconic filming locations.

The Pearly Diner – A monochrome restaurant where each diner gets to experience their ‘last supper’, ordering anything at all with no restrictions.

Cakebook Britain – A large scale community event, building a 100sq m fully edible map of the UK, with 100 landmarks recreates in cake.

10 Secret Paladares – Inspired by Cuban home restaurants, ten families from different ethnic backgrounds open their homes as restaurants, serving the authentic food of their childhood.

View the 2014 EAT! OUT Brochure.

View the 2015 EAT! IN EAT IN Brochure