Chefs share their secrets
Family food takes top spot on the menu at The Scotsman’s food and drink show
Cooking demonstrations and baking masterclasses will inspire audiences at the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017 with fun and easy recipes designed with families in mind. Among the first chefs to be confirmed is Mark Greenaway of Restaurant Mark Greenaway. The Edinburgh chef ’s 2016 cookbook, Perceptions, set out to change dated views of Scottish food.
Greenaway has become a household name since he represented Scotland on BBC2’S Great British Menu in 2012, and again in the 2013 series Great British Menu Does Comic Relief.
He’ll be giving visitors to The Scotsman’s two-day free-to-attend event a step-by-step demonstration of some of his favourite dishes.
While the exact details are still under wraps, Greenaway is guaranteed to make the most of the best local and seasonal produce in his recipes; he’s known for his passion for Scottish ingredients which he transforms with modern techniques.
Also appearing at the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017, which will be held at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston on 14 and 15 October, is Paul Wedgwood of Wedgwood the Restaurant on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
After starting his culinary career in the Lake District, Wedgwood worked his way up through a variety of establishments and leisure parks to fine dining Michelin-starred restaurants.
The menu at his restaurant in the capital is inspired by his regular travels around the world. His starters might include an indulgent lobster thermidor crème brûlée and juniper-crusted red deer carpaccio.
Wedgwood regularly appears at food festivals up and down the country and he’ll be sharing some of his favourite recipes in the chef ’s’ corner at The Scotsman’s show.
Daniel Ashmore of the Pompadour by Galvin, at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, joins the line-up. His appointment as head chef was announced in May.
Ashmore’s wealth of experience comes from stints at a number of high end eateries including Fischer’s at Baslow Hall in Derbyshire, the Square in London’s Mayfair and Number One at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.
The Pompadour by Galvin was named Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2017 at the fourth annual Food Awards Scotland in August so Ashmore’s demonstration at the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017 is not to be missed.
Author, food photographer and presenter Karon Grieve is a firm favourite at Scottish festivals and shows and she’s known for delivering engaging workshops packed with great tips for making everything from Christmas decorations to vodkainfused tomatoes.
Grieve will be gracing the stage at Ingliston next month with a demonstration centred around different uses for herbs and visitors are bound to come away inspired by new tricks to try out at home.
Amy Lorimer started her popular food blog Baking with Granny in 2015, combining her mother’s decades of experience in the kitchen with a go-to digital base which has quickly filled up with recipes to suit even the most novice of home-bakers.
Her blog is certainly worth a visit to sift through the three generations of baking knowledge it contains and at the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017, Lorimer will be sharing some of the classics which are ideal for making with children.
Warming up the crowds with the first demonstration of the day will be Marie-clare James, who runs Chefs@ School, teaching children to cook in the classroom.
“I will be doing something tasty that kids can help to make,” says James, who is also co-ordinating the line-up of chefs for the event.
“We are trying to think about the family audience. It might be the basics of making a nice soup for winter, or perhaps looking at healthy snacking which is a big issue for parents.” In addition to the cookery demonstrations, there will be foodie stalls packed with tempting treats and gift ideas from craft gins to jams, jellies and savoury sauces.
What makes the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017 unique is its dedicated careers area, which has been designed to inspire the workforce of the future.
Advice will be available over the two days of the event about working in hospitality, farming and manufacturing from colleges and training providers, as well as professionals who have years of experience to draw on for inspiration.
The dedicated children’s zone will keep younger visitors busy with Halloweenthemed activities, and there will be catering stalls selling hot food including traditional Indian cuisine, juicy burgers and a hog roast.
“There’s still time for chefs and food and drink businesses to get involved in what’s set to be an exciting event,” says show organiser Rebecca Thompson. Anyone interested in signing up as an exhibitor can contact her on 0131 311 7237.
The Scotsman, in partnership with Lothian Buses, has transport to and from the show covered so visitors can relax and enjoy the day. A free bus service will operate from Edinburgh city centre to the venue, the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston.
Look out for more details of the Scotland Food & Drink Show 2017 in the coming weeks.