This year will see a stellar line-up of north-east chefs take to the Local Kitchen stage at Taste of Grampian to show off their skills to a live audience.
The event, which makes its return in-person for the first time in two years, has moved to its new home at P&J Live in Dyce, Aberdeen.
It is set to welcome around 15,000 people on Saturday June 5 from 9am to 6pm.
But what is Scotland’s biggest one day food and drink festival without the best culinary talent in the north-east?
This year the event will welcome five prestigious chefs, all known very well locally for serving up some of the most delicious food in the region.
Taste of Grampian is run in association with Quality Meat Scotland and is also supported by ANM Group, Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council, Quality Meat Scotland, The Press and Journal and Evening Express.
From using the very best of local produce to showing off their talents with the best ingredients, these chefs will demonstrate what it means to be one of the best.
Craig Wilson – Eat on the Green – 10am to 10.45am
Known locally as The Kilted Chef thanks to Lorraine Kelly, Craig Wilson is a well kent face in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
He has built up a successful restaurant in Udny Green which celebrated its 17th birthday earlier this year with his wife Lindsay and the duo have also had huge success with their Eat from the Green takeaway luxury boxes. These boxes were hard to get a hold of during the pandemic due to demand with veggie and vegan options available every week they ran them.
Craig will be cooking up a storm in the Local Kitchen and he will also be getting stuck into some other things like comparing events and hosting kitchens.
Oyin Adekola – O’Caykx – 11am to 11.45am
Oyin is the owner and creative stylist of O’Caykx. Having previously worked as a market analyst in the oil and gas industry, the talented baker turned her hand to something more creative and has been making top wedding cakes since.
Originally starting up shop in Aberdeen, Oyin moved the operation to Portlethen and hasn’t looked back. She will be sharing all of her baking secrets and some top tips with festivalgoers so be sure to head along to hear what she has to share.
Ross Cochrane – Rothesay Rooms – 12.30pm to 1.15pm
When it comes to household names of chefs in the north-east, Ross Cochrane’s is sure to come up in conversation.
The executive chef at the prestigious Rothesay Rooms in Ballater is well loved by locals and tourists alike. During the pandemic the talented chef launched his Rocca dine-at-home concept which has been hugely popular. He has also hosted multiple pop-ups at various venues across the region, partnering with the likes of The Marcliffe Hotel and Figment.
The Rothesay Rooms is one of the four venues recommended by the Michelin Guide in Aberdeenshire and is a must-visit for those who like to dine out.
Graham Mitchell – The Newmachar Hotel – 1.45pm to 2.30pm
Another well known name in the area is Graham Mitchell. Heading up the kitchen operation at The Newmachar Hotel in Aberdeenshire, this chef loves a challenge and is always competing in a variety of different competitions.
The 36-year-old likes to keep himself busy and is the Scottish National Culinary Team manager.
He too launched his own dine-at-home concept called Tarragon Catering during the pandemic to great success and dabbles in freelance work from time-to-time, cooking as a private chef at events.
Kevin Dalgleish – Amuse by Kevin Dalglish – 3pm to 3.45pm
Stepping into the lime light and launching his first own restaurant, Kevin Dalgleish has made a name for himself in the city for being one of the best.
After a decade as the executive chef at The Chester Hotel where he completely captured the hearts of diners, the chef is in the process of opening his own restaurant in Aberdeen, Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish, which he says will be focused around local produced and a relaxed dining concept.
Kevin has worked with a number of top names in the industry includingBret Graham, Angela Hartnett, Anton Mossiman, Nick Nairn, Paul Rankin and Henry Brosi, and is a regular at Taste of Grampian.
Once you’ve seen him work his magic at the event we guarantee you’ll be fighting to get a seat at his restaurant.
Do you want to be involved? To sponsor the event email carole.bruce@ajl.co.uk or to become an exhibitor contact Jillian Burns at jillian.burns@ajl.co.uk
