Diners to build on food success

Opportunities to build food tourism in the north-east will be the focus for a dining event at one of the region’s newest destination venues next week.

The North East Food and Drink Network (NEFDN) gathering at The Barn @ Barra Castle, near Oldmeldrum, next Wednesday will bring together local food and drink producers, hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs.

Organised by economic development body Opportunity North East (One) and Aberdeenshire Council, the aim is to create new business connections to promote the use of local produce in the food service sector and help develop food tourism in the region.

This year’s series of NEFDN events builds on the success of those previously organised by Grampian Food Forum.

“Could deliver more visitors and more spending”

One aims to capitalise on the region’s significant strengths in food, drink, fishing and agriculture and accelerate growth in the sector through projects addressing business growth, innovation, supply chain integration, market development and skills.

Peter Cook, the group’s director of food, drink and agriculture, said: “This month’s dining event will help to build the producer, food service and tourism network in the north-east.

“Developing our food tourism offering could deliver more visitors and more spending on local produce.

“This aim is part of One’s wider agenda to grow the food, drink and agriculture sector, which is a critical component of the regional economic renaissance that we are working towards.”