The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
A real taste of region’s finest
Taste Angus, the annual highlight of the area’s culinary calendar, returns in August. Caroline Lindsay finds out what delights will be on offer this year
With a reputation as one of Scotland’s most beautiful landmarks, Glamis Castle is the perfect setting for the Taste Angus Food & Drink Festival 2017, and The Courier is delighted to be a media partner for what is undoubtedly the highlight of the region’s culinary calendar.
Now in its fifth year, the family festival, sponsored by Specialist Cars Seat and Skoda, will take place on August 19 and 20 when foodies from around Courier Country and beyond will showcase their skills and knowledge.
Festival founder Lucy Sinclair of Sinclair’s Catering in Edzell promises a feast of highlights throughout the weekend and is thrilled to be working with such a wealth of local talent.
“We are incredibly excited about this year’s event. There’s an amazing line-up of chefs, restaurants and wonderful food and drink producers involved,” she says.
Special guests
Great British Bake Off 2016 winner Candice Brown will be the headline guest while Jak O’Donnell, chef patron of Glasgow’s Sisters Restaurants and two-time finalist on BBC’s Great British Menu, will host the festival’s Food Theatre.
The theatre, sponsored by the Angus Glens Moorland Group, will present a packed programme of cookery demonstrations by some of Scotland’s top chefs.
Candice will be donning her apron, giving baking demonstrations on each day and hosting afternoon teas in the Mackays Vintage Afternoon Tea Tent.
“I’m really excited about coming up to Scotland in August for Taste Angus at Glamis Castle – what an amazing place to hold a food and drink festival,” she says.
“I’m already thinking of lots of ideas for my demonstrations and I can’t wait to taste the local produce and meet some of the region’s top chefs. It promises to be a really special weekend.”
Participating chefs at this year’s event include Jamie Scott of the Newport Restaurant and Masterchef: The Professionals champion 2014.
“The event is a great platform for chefs, restaurateurs and producers to come together and showcase the fantastic food that Angus has to offer,” he says.
Demonstrations
Jamie will be creating some of the restaurant’s signature dishes during his cookery demonstration and will also be running a pop-up street food restaurant.
Joining Jamie in the Food Theatre are some fellow talented local chefs: Michelin star Graham Campbell of the award-winning restaurant Castlehill in Dundee; Scottish Young Chef of the Year 2015 Adam Newth of the Tayberry Restaurant, Broughty Ferry; and brothers Jordan and Eden Sinclair from Sinclair’s Larder, Edzell will all be creating pop-up restaurants.
Guests will include celebrity chef Nick Nairn, Masterchef: The Professionals 2016 champion Gary MacLean, Fife Food Ambassador Christopher Trotter and private chef and regular on STV’s Live at Five Mark Heirs.
Jak will also be cooking up a storm with a demonstration of her own.
The gastronomic extravaganza will continue on the festival’s Food Street where an array of vendors and pop-up restaurants will offer visitors everything from chefs’ signature taster dishes, fresh oysters and Champagne to gourmet street food.
Participants include Artisana Bakes, who’ll be bringing along Fleur – a 1970 Citroen H-Van as well as Ogilvy Vodka and Original Smokies of Arbroath, to name but a few.
Huge variety
In addition to the cooking and baking demos, the show will also offer a variety of local produce, award-winning artisan produce and arts and crafts in the Taste of Angus Market Marquee.
Visitors can try before they buy, with samples from the stalls and shop for yummy treats, unique crafts, gifts and home wares.
Hilary Tasker from Taste of Angus, one of the sponsors of the event, acknowledges the festival is one of the most important events in the region’s food and drink calendar.
“We are delighted to support the event and look forward to welcoming food lovers from all over Angus and beyond to Glamis for a celebration of the best of local produce,” she says.
“Angus is renowned for its excellent food and drink and Taste Angus is an ideal showcase through demonstrations by top chefs, pop-up restaurants and the chance to buy from many of our artisan producers.”
There will also be a jam-packed live entertainment programme and a Kids’ Corner with plenty of activities, children’s entertainers, games, face painting and more guaranteed to keep the little ones busy too.
With under-12s admitted free, it is a great day out for foodies and families alike.
Early bird tickets (£6 per adult and £5 concession) for Taste Angus are available until May 1.
One pound from each ticket sold will go to Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids.
For more information about the event and to book tickets visit www. tasteangus.co.uk.
The event is a great platform for chefs, restaurateurs and producers