An independent publisher has launched a new food and drink magazine covering the region it serves.

The CN Group has announced the launch of Taste Cumbria, which features news about the latest Cumbrian products and openings, features and profiles on people in the region’s food and drink industry, recipes and ideas from top chefs, and expert columns on wine, coffee and the hospitality industry.

The magazine is named for the Taste Cumbria project, which was launched as a Defra-funded food tourism project following the Cockermouth floods of 2009.

CN Events, part of CN Group, took over the brand from Cumbria Tourism when the project ended in 2012, and has continued to run the flagship Taste Cockermouth Food Festival since, as well as launching festivals in Ulverston, Kirkby Lonsdale and Whitehaven.

The magazine will be published every two months and costs £3.95.

Publishing director Richard Eccles, who is also editor of Cumbria Life magazine, said: “Cumbria’s food scene is thriving with new Michelin- star restaurants, trendy cafes and artisan bakers, brewers and coffee-roasters all causing a buzz in our towns and villages and boosting growth in food tourism.

“Food and drink is a vital part of Cumbria Life magazine, and its food and drink awards celebrate the growing strength of the sector every year.

“This has given us the confidence to launch a dedicated regional food magazine for Cumbrian food lovers and visitors who want even more food and drink content, ideas and inspiration in a beautiful new format.”