FOOD fans prepare to rejoice because NewcastleGateshead’s festival EAT! is back for its annual summer outing. Taking inspiration from the natural beauty of the North-East, EAT! NewcastleGateshead is going alfresco from Friday, August 8 to Sunday , August 17, with a ten-day programme of foodie events and experiences that celebrate local talent and the nation’s love of outdoor dining.

The Port of Tyne, portoftyne.co.uk, is this year's sponsor for events such as Naked Feasts (Friday, August 8 to Saturday , August 16 ), which offers dining experiences in stunning outdoor locations across the Tyneside area. Communal tables for one of 11 themed feasts – inspired by family, community, history, art and summer – are being all prepared by up-and-coming North-East chefs.

Locations include the rooftop of The Vermont Hotel, the Toffee Factory, a Byker community garden, an orchard at Rising Sun Farm and the best of all is Dunston Staiths – the largest wooden structure in Europe - which will open to the public following a 30-year closure for a dinner experience high above the Tyne. Supplerclub chef and food blogger Anna Hedworth will create a menu of dishes inspired by the Staiths’ 120-year history.

On Saturday, August 9, EAT! offers diners the opportunity to explore Gunther von Hagens’ Bodyworlds Vital exhibition at Life Science Centre before sitting down to an outdoor body-themed feast of offal.

Foodies can takes a trip to the coast and countryside for a series of fishing and foraging workshops (Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10) led by wild food experts. Chopwell Woods, Gateshead and Rising Sun Country Park, Newcastle, provide the locations for the foraging events that feature butchery demonstrations and outdoor cooking. Fishing workshops at Tynemouth Pier give novices an opportunity to catch their supper and the historic North Shields Fish Quay will be opening its doors to the public for a rare opportunity to watch the early morning fish auction.

The Kids Cook School @ Fenwick (Thursday, August 7 to Thursday , August 14) invites budding bakers to don chef’s whites for a series of cooking classes every morning and afternoon. The mouth-watering creations can be enjoyed at a giant kitchen table or taken home in a goody bag for the whole family to enjoy.

The Food Heroes Festival (Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17) starts in dramatic fashion with local chef Gareth Kyle’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest chef demonstration. Starting at 6am on August 15, Gareth will cook his way through the weekend in an attempt to break the current 36-hour record. Taking place at Monument in Newcastle city centre, a dining table will be set up for people to enjoy dishes throughout the challenge. From early morning smoothies to late night kebabs, passers-by will be able to tuck into the fruits of Gareth’s labour as he cooks and commentates. An online stream involving the world record attempt will be available via the official EAT! NewcastleGateshead website, eatnewcastlegateshead.com, and supporters can follow his journey on twitter using #gogareth. The world record attempt is in support of The People’s Kitchen, with many of the dishes prepared during the challenge being donated to the Newcastle charity.

There will also be a Food Heroes Market featuring a hand-picked selection of the North-East’s finest food and drink producers as well as innovative street food stalls, local craft ales and some fun foodie activities for all the family.

The festival's Gold Awards will crown the top ten products at the Food Heroes Market, and Newcastle Food Charter will launch its awards (taking place in February next year at EAT! IN) as part of the weekend celebrations.

EAT! Street will deliver the best street food from the North-East’s restaurants and traders and award-winning beer writer Alastair Gilmour and Iles Tours will serve up a series of pub walking tours and NewcastleGateshead food walking tours.

For more information about EAT! OUT and all the events taking place throughout the festival, visit the website. Tickets will go on sale next month – check the website for updates.

EAT! OUT’s sister-event, EAT! IN, takes place from Saturday, February 21 to Monday, March 2 and sees the events come indoors for more adventures in food and drink.