While some shows have faded and disappeared, the annual Taste of Grampian food and drink festival has gone from strength to strength and deservedly is regarded as the biggest and best day out for food lovers in the north-east of Scotland.
The 16th Taste of Grampian takes place this year on Saturday, June 6, at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, and as well as having plenty of pulling power it will be loaded with “flour power”, as this year’s festivities will have a baking theme. Two of the best-known bakers in the business, 2014 Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle and viewers’ favourite Norman Calder, from Buckie, are taking part.
Nancy, a self-taught baker, is determined to pass on her skills and knowledge, while Norman, who earned the nickname Stormin’ Norman, has also set his heart on inspiring others to try baking and perhaps even bid for a place on the Bake Off show themselves. The two baking experts will be working alongside two schoolchildren, finalists in a competition to design a new product for J.G. Ross bakers, the show’s title sponsor. Equally exciting will be the cook-off between students Brogan Tilney, of Torry, Aberdeen, and Eilidh Davidson, of Mintlaw, finalists in the Scotch Beef Aspiring Young Chef competition, who will not only be hoping to impress the judges, but looking to secure a Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland scholarship, and £200-worth of kitchen equipment.
But it’s not just up-and-coming chefs who are out to impress; some of the biggest names in the culinary world are taking part, including celebrity chef and pinup of the kitchen Jean-Christophe Novelli, the AA Rosette and multi-Michelin Star award-winning chef who has also been dubbed The Nation’s Favourite French Chef. Festival regular and P&J columnist Lady Claire Macdonald, owner of the Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge Hotel, on Skye, will be back, ready to inspire, while Sandy Greig, of the Two Fat Laddies, will also be back by popular demand.
Many visitors will also be keen to see what chef Brian McLeish is going to create. Brian, of Aberdeen’s Moonfish Cafe, shot to fame after he made it to the finals of one of the UK’s biggest cooking competitions last year, MasterChef: The Professionals. He’ll be cooking in the seafood kitchen and taking part in a celebrity cookery demonstration with Jean-Christophe Novelli – an event that’s a must for food fans.
One thing that makes Taste of Grampian special is that it continues to come up with new ideas. This year, it’s Brewfest, a new beer garden which will showcase the best locally sourced draft and bottled beers, gins, whiskies and wines. Other attractions include a typical local street market which will have a host of wonderful local produce and crafts, while the Press and Journal Motor Show is always worth a visit.
Visitors can stroll through a street market full of stalls selling wonderful local produce and crafts, enjoy music from Inverurie Pipe Band, Tin Pan Alley or the talented buskers singing on the corner, while youngsters can lose track of time at a special educational but fun area. There’s also a good selection of fairground rides, stalls and inflatables, plus walkabout entertainers on hand to ensure everyone has a good time.
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 which makes it not only one of the best family days out this summer, but one of the best-value days out, too. The only thing visitors need to remember to bring is a hearty appetite.
WHAT: Taste of Grampian
WHEN: Saturday, June 6,
9.30am-4.30pm
WHERE: Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
COST: Free, parking £5. Tickets for
the celebrity chef demonstrations
in advance from www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk
CONTACT: www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk