Paisley to cook up storm on eve of City of Culture bid
Paisley foodies are in for a treat as MasterChef – The Professionals winner Gary Maclean prepares to visit the town.
He will be teaching Buddies how to prepare top-class meals at this year’s Paisley Food Festival.
Chef extraordinaire Gary will host a series of cooking demonstrations at the free event, which takes place on Saturday, April 22, at Abbey Close, from noon until 7pm.
Also confirmed to attend is CBeebies star Katy Ashworth, who will entertain children and families throughout the day and give them the chance to participate in fun, interactive games, stories and singalong songs.
Ga r y said: “I l ov e everything about cooking, from preparation through to patisserie, but I also get a real buzz from teaching others how to be a success in the kitchen.
“I look forward to sharing my passion with Paisley’s cooking enthusiasts and showing them how to create showstopping meals at Paisley’s Food and Drink Festival.”
Now in its third year, the festival will showcase the breadth of Scotland’s vibrant street food scene, with traders using the very best seasonal ingredients and sustainably sourced produce in their dishes.
This event also forms part of the push for Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 status.
The event has a wide selection of producer traders serving handreared produce, including The Kitchen Farmer from Perthshire with their gourmet lamb burgers and outdoor- reared pork and apple burgers from Duntarrin Farm in Argyll.
The event caters for both savoury and sweet pallets, with Indian street food from Bombay Kitchen and exquisite French patisseries from les Plaisirs d’Odette and artisan crème brule from Crema Caravan.
All traders will offer smaller portion sizes at reduced prices for children and the event will boast a range of halal, gluten free and vegetarian options.
Visitors will also be able to sample a wide choice of craft beers, small- batch gins and prosecco on tap. demonstrations is expected to be high, so pre- booking is recommended.
In addition to the cooking demonstrations taking place there will be plenty to keep the kids entertained.
Children will be able to take part in hands-on cooking fun, with free chocolate treat workshops, fruit bouquets and challenge each other on the smoothie bike.
Katy added: “Events like this are a great day out for the whole family.
“I’ll be bringing a burst of silliness and fun for all through fun-packed games, songs and giggles.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the day.”
The festival is just one of three food and drink events taking place that week.
Scotland’s largest beer and ale festival, the 30th annual Paisley Beer Festival, will return for another year to Paisley Town Hall from April 19 to 22.
While Paisley Restaurant Week, being delivered by local business improvement group Paisley First, will run from April 15 to 23.
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron told us: “The range of food and drink events taking place in April is likely to attract around 15,000 visitors to the area over the course of the week.
“This demonstrates our capacity for hosting large-scale, national events that bring visitors to the area.
“I, for one, can’t wait to head along and try some of the tasty treats on offer.
“The timing of the events gives us even more reason to celebrate as they take place one week before Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 is due to be lodged with the UK Government.”
● To book a place or find out more about the cookery demonstrations on the day, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ foodfestival2017