Produce Listings
Food Festival Plans Take Shape
Plans are being laid for Shetland’s first food festival, to be held between 3rd and 12th October 2008. The programme for the Shetland Festival of Food will include several events embracing food of all kinds, but the emphasis will be very much on celebrating Shetland’s excellent local produce and making people in and beyond Shetland aware of just how much the isles have to offer. Nationally, indeed internationally, there’s been a resurgence in interest in regional specialities and local food traditions. That’s been reflected in the growth of festivals elsewhere.
There will be cooking demonstrations from expert chefs, an extensive Shetland farmers’ market, talks on food, school activities and food workshops. Training courses may also be offered. All eateries throughout Shetland will be encouraged to participate by focusing menus on local produce
However, the Festival is therefore not simply about enjoying good food. As well as bolstering local confidence and raising reputation, it’s hoped that it will also highlight the skills of the professionals who work in food production, retail and hospitality. It should also publicise career and training opportunities in food and help to raise standards in customer service. It will be an opportunity, too, to develop new and stronger links between Shetland food producers and their customers. These days, people don’t just want to know where their food came from, but who produced it and how.
It’s hoped, too, that an event in October will help to bring visitors to Shetland in what is otherwise one of the quieter periods of the year. It will coincide, for four days, with the Accordion and Fiddle Festival.
The Festival has received a boost with the announcement by EventScotland that they have agreed to offer a grant of £14,400 towards costs.
