Taste of Grampian is back and we’ve got everything you need to know about Scotland’s biggest premium one-day food and drink festival all wrapped up for you.
From the dates to ticket prices, not to mention information on the celebrity chefs and the times of their demonstrations, to other entertainment, there’s plenty for all ages to get involved in.
Taking place this summer at its new home at P&J Live in Dyce, Aberdeen, the festival is gearing up to be one of the biggest and best to date.
When is it?
Taste of Grampian will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday June 3, 2023 – so be sure to put the date in your diary!
Where is it taking place?
The event is being held at P&J Live in Aberdeen for the second time since moving from Thainstone Exchange and Mart in Inverurie.
It will take place in the main arena hall at P&J Live where acts including Gerry Cinnamon, Lewis Capaldi and Rod Stewart have performed.
The Sports Personality of the Year event was also held there in December 2019.
How much does it cost to get in?
Tickets for the festival are priced at £15 each plus booking fee and children under 12 go free.
There is a booking fee of £1 and a £1 service charge on Ticketmaster.
Celebrity chefs – who are they?
This year the celebrity chefs in attendance will be none other than James Martin and the self titled queen of potatoes and TikTok sensation Poppy O’Toole.
James Martin is looking forward to returning to the festival in the north-east of Scotland this year after hosting three live cooking demonstrations last year.
This will be Poppy’s first time cooking to Aberdeen audiences.
James is best-known for being one of the UK’s top chefs and presenting the ITV cookery show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning. He has released numerous cook books and owns multiple restaurants across the world.
Poppy is a Michelin trained chef who rose to fame on TikTok after losing her job during the pandemic. She has built up a following of 4.1million on TikTok alone and has appeared on This Morning, Saturday Kitchen and was a judge on both BBC’s Young MasterChef TV show and on E4’s Celebrity Cooking School.
This year, James will be hosting two live cooking demonstrations in a private arena which are priced at £18 per ticket plus booking fee. Poppy will be cooking on Taste of Grampian’s Live Kitchen stage where festivalgoers will be able to enjoy her masterclass for free.
James Martin’s demos take place at 11am and 3pm.
*Please note you must purchase a general admission ticket as well as the chef demo ticket to be able to access James’ shows.
Is it just a festival to buy things at?
While you can buy some of the best Scottish food and drink the north-east and further afield has to offer to take home, there will also be a number of vendors you can purchase hot and cold food items from.
This year more than 150 vendors will be present at the festival.
In the past there has been ice cream, drinks, burgers, wraps, chips and more available to indulge in, with plenty lined up to try this year.
As well as the huge variety of food and drink stallholders, you’ll also find a crafters market where you can pick up a range of items. In recent years there has been everything from jewellery, crockery, skincare, glassware, art and more.
What other things can I do?
As well as a massive food and drink offering Taste of Grampian is designed to be a fun day out for all of the family.
The children’s zone will return this year, with a few more fun surpirses for all of the family to get stuck into on the day, and live acoustic music will play in the beer and spirits gardens.
As well as the celebrity chef demos there will also be masterclasses from local chefs, drinks tastings, workshops and more taking place.
The line-up for the Taste of Grampian Live Kitchen is still to be announced, but organisers say the move to hosting a bigger lifestyle-type show within the main arena will be a welcome treat for those in attendance.
But wait, how do I get there?
While you can take your car and park in the underground car park on-site at P&J Live for free, get a taxi, or get dropped off at the venue, many people are now looking into more sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways to travel.
Two bus services run through the event complex daily.
Stagecoach’s Jet Service 727 runs from Aberdeen’s Union Square Bus Station to the airport via P&J Live. It operates 24-hours a day with services up to every 10 minutes Monday to Friday and every 30 minutes Saturday and Sunday.
For more information including full timetable and ticket information visit Stagecoach 727 timetable/info.
First’s X27 Service is from Guild Street Aberdeen Bus Station to the airport via P&J Live. This service operates from 5.35am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday with a travel time of around 30 minutes to get to the venue.
For more information on the full timetable and ticket information visit First X27 timetable.
All bus stops are just a short walk from P&J Live.
The venue is also a 15-minute walk from both Aberdeen International Airport and Dyce Train Station and there’s also the park and ride that festivalgoers can use.
Aberdeen City Council provides three park and ride facilities within the city and shire. The routes are from Kingswells, Bridge of Don and Craibstone.
Who are the sponsors?
A range of local businesses have signed up to support the event including Brewdog, Cala, Laings, P&J Live, Costco and PFI Lofthus.
The event is in association with Opportunity North East and ANM Group.
It is brought to you by The Press and Journal, Evening Express and Original 106.
*DC Thomson has paid to cover the cost of parking at the venue for the day so festivalgoers can park for free
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