Fest celebrates organic produce
A celebration of organic produce is set to launch next month with a special festival of food and drink.
Eat Happy Summer Supper, run by Scottish Organic and Sustainable, will be hosted by healthy- eating author Melissa Hemsley on Sunday, August 5 at Dumfries House.
Melissa, who, with sister Jasmine, has amassed a large following thanks to the success of a Hemsley and Hemsley café in London’s Selfridge’s department store as well as cookbooks containing recipes made from whole, organic, nutrient- filled ingredients.
Dinner guests will sample food including organic ingredients from the Cumnock estate and have the opportunity to meet organic experts.
Melissa’s latest cookbook, Eat Happy, will be available for sale and to be signed by the author.
She said: “The idea behind the Eat Happy Summer Supper is to introduce healthy, wholesome ways of cooking and eating to our guests.
“They will have the opportunity to see produce grown to organic principles, speak to experts about how to grow their own, and the sample some of the estate’s ‒ and Ayrshire’s ‒ finest organic and sustainable fare as part of a really fun evening.”
Chris Jones, education gardener at Dumfries House, is an active ambassador for organic growing and is excited to be part of Scottish Organic and Sustainable.
She said: “We are proud to host an event that celebrates organic and sustainable production in Scotland.
“Organic growing focuses on creating a healthy living soil and organic methods are an important factor in food security and people’s health.
“How we farm affects the quality of the food we eat.
“Organic farming espouses the highest standards of animal welfare, reduces our exposure to pesticides, supports more wildlife, and offsets greenhouse gases.
“Having the organic certificate is a way of ensuring that people know exactly how we grow our produce at the education garden and Home Farm. Ultimately, if you follow the standards and best practice, when you finish with your garden or farm, you should leave it in better condition for future generations.”
Isla McCulloch, business development manager at Soil Association Scotland, welcomed the foundation of Scottish Organic and Sustainable.
She said: “People want to see organic and sustainable produce become more available.
“We’re happy to support this new initiative to celebrate the wonderful organic growing and production happening across Scotland.”
Tickets to the Eat Happy Summer Supper can be booked by calling 01290 429 913.