A new food and drink festival has been launched to encourage people in the north-east to eat, drink and sample local produce.
Feast North East, a three-month food and drink festival for Inverurie and the surrounding areas, will showcase the best food and drink producers, farmers, independent retailers and eating establishments in the region.
Families and visitors can take part in a range of activities, including tasting events, foraging tours, cooking demonstrations and fun days.
The first event on the calendar is the popular Taste of Grampian on June 6. This year it will have a baking theme, with Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle and viewers’ favourite Norman Calder, from Buckie, showing off their skills.
Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will also be at the 16th annual event at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
It is hoped Feast North East will attract visitors to the area and raise aware of its diverse food and drink sector.
Douglas Milne, area manager for Garioch, said: “It is fair to say, Inverurie and the surrounding areas has an abundance of fantastic food and drink businesses that work very hard to produce exceptional products and goods for the north-east.
“As part of Feast North East, we are inviting businesses to use their imagination to plan events or activities that will showcase their offerings, raise awareness and attract visitors to the area.”
Fiona Richmond, project manager for Scotland Food and Drink, said: “It is great to hear the impressive plans for Feast North East which wholly reflect the ethos of the Year of Food and Drink.
“The festival’s programme of events promoting producers, retailers and hospitality businesses over several months will encourage people from the region and visitors alike to engage with and discover local food and drink.”
To find out how to take part in Feast North East, call Jillian Sheran on 01224 857999 or e-mail jillian@frasermedia.co.uk