The north-east’s biggest food and drink festival will return this year – virtually.
Taste of Grampian, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, will take place via an online and interactive platform from September 18-20.
The event – which showcases the best food and drink on offer across the region and wider Scotland – had been due to take place at P&J Live this month, but was put on hold due to coronavirus.
Organisers hope the virtual event will retain its loyal fan base while also attracting new supporters – while giving local food and drink producers a much-needed boost.
Claire Higgs, communications and events manager for long-term event sponsors Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) believes it is essential to promote local at such a challenging time.
She said: “A virtual event is the perfect way to do this and it gives us an opportunity to extend our reach to new consumers who have not attended the event before.
“Locals can expect a range of fun cook-offs, celebrity cooking demos, competitions and fantastic collaborations, all celebrating Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork.
“We are looking forward to showcasing our brands at this year’s virtual event.”
Other partners for the event include ANM Group, Opportunity North East (ONE), The Press and Journal and Evening Express.
Richard Neville, head of newspapers at DC Thomson, said: “There are many events not going ahead this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and missing Taste of Grampian is a real blow to suppliers and customers in the north-east.
“That’s why we are launching Taste of Grampian virtual event to help make up for missing the real thing.
“It will also give the food and drink industry a much-needed boost and keep them in touch with their markets and fellow suppliers.
“The atmosphere will be different online but one thing will remain the same – the absolute very best produce from the most innovative and diverse food producers in Scotland will be there in all its glory.”
Peter Cook, director of food, drink and agriculture at ONE, said the festival was a “great platform” to show off the produce available at a time when online demand is high.
Grant Rogerson, chief executive at ANM Group Ltd, added: “Like so many organisers, we were extremely disappointed to have to cancel this year’s Taste of Grampian.
“Going ‘virtual’ this year makes perfect sense given how so many of us have been communicating successfully online over the last three months.
“Holding Taste of Grampian virtually this year provides a platform for us to demonstrate the very best our region has to offer and continue our 20-year history of bringing producers and customers together.”
More details about the event will be revealed on Monday, July 6.
To find out about sponsoring the event, e-mail carole.bruce@ajl.co.uk or for more information on becoming an exhibitor e-mail laadam@dctmedia.co.uk
