Two celebrity bakers and a renowned TV chef will share their secrets and tips with foodies in the north-east later this year.
The winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off, Nancy Birtwhistle, and viewers’ favourite Norman Calder, from Buckie, will join Jean-Christophe Novelli at the 16th Taste of Grampian on Saturday, June 6, at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
The event’s chairman John Gregor, yesterday confirmed there will be a baking theme for this year’s festivities with local firm JG Ross unveiled as title sponsor.
The bakery has also launched a competition for school children to design a new product, which will be sold in all JG Ross branches.
The two finalists in the competition will bake alongside their mentors – Nancy Birtwhistle and Norman Calder – on the day.
Mr Gregor said: “We are delighted to launch the plans for this year’s festival during VisitScotland’s Year of Food and Drink and would invite everyone to come along and celebrate the diversity of Grampian’s larder.
“We would encourage food and drink firms to once again support this event so that Grampian’s consumers can experience the diverse range of goods this region has to offer.”
As part of this year’s gathering, a new beer garden will be created to showcase the best locally sourced draft and bottled beers, gins, whiskies and wines.
A typical local street market will be set up, alongside the usual local produce and craft stalls, music and entertainment and celebrity chef demonstrations.
The Press and Journal Motor Show will also return, as will the seafood pavilion.
And the Aspiring Young Chef competition, which was launched in 2014, will be back for a second year.
The contest, sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland and judged by food writer and Press and Journal columnist Lady Claire Macdonald, is open to people aged 16-19.
Applicants will be asked to create a two-course menu, comprising a main course and dessert, using as much local produce as possible.
The shortlisted chefs will be asked to prepare and cook their recipes prior to the event, with the two finalists battling it out on the day to be crowned the winner.
Taste of Grampian, which is organised by ANM Group, Aberdeenshire Council, Grampian Food Forum, the Press and Journal, Prime Events and Scottish Enterprise, is free to attend. Parking costs £5 per car.