Get set for a bite of food festivals

Published:

THE north-east’s diverse and rich food larder is to be celebrated in style this summer by two celebrity chefs.

Simon Rimmer and Tony Tobin are the star guests headed for Taste of Grampian, the annual feast of food, fun and entertainment being held at Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre on June 7.

Mr Rimmer, who stars on Something for the Weekend, has won several national plaudits for vegetarian produce, although he specialises in creating dishes across the food spectrum.

Mr Tobin started cooking at 14 and worked with Brian Turner, who has twice attended Taste of Grampian.

Mr Tobin now runs two restaurants in the south of England as well as being a regular on TV and the BBC’s Ready Steady Cook.

More than 100 food-related stands are expected at the event, which will also feature competitions for primary and secondary school pupils, school cooks and Scottish Women’s Rural Institute members.

There will also be cooking demonstrations by food historian Alan Coxon and the Two Fat Laddies – Sandy Greig and Robert Bruce. Mother-of-six, cook and food writer Fi Bird is to give a children’s cookery demonstration.

Taste of Grampian is organised by Aberdeenshire Council, ANM Group, the Grampian Food Forum, the Press and Journal and Scottish Enterprise Grampian.

More information on Taste of Grampian is available from event managers PRime Promotions on 01224 646488, or at www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk

CHANNEL 4’s Taste of Edinburgh returns to The Meadows from May 29 until June 1, 2008, showcasing the very best of Scotland’s celebrated national larder.

Two of Scotland’s Michelin-starred chefs, Martin Wishart and Andrew Fairlie, alongside P&J food writer Lady Claire MacDonald and The Tower’s James Thomson, will join forces with the finest restaurants and food and drink producers.

Taste of Edinburgh 2008 is set to provide a culinary experience that will give 25,000 foodies the opportunity to sample “taster dishes” from 20 of Edinburgh’s top restaurants as the chefs work for four days in their on-site demonstration kitchens.

Tickets are priced from £12 and are available at www.channel4.com/taste – or call 0871 230 5581.