Event: Edinburgh Food Festival 2017

Taste Test Your Limits with Edinburgh Food Festival Launch

Assembly’s Edinburgh Food Festival launches today, offering the weird and wonderful tastes of savoury ice cream and edible insects, in amongst a flavour of Scotland’s finest producers.

Held in Edinburgh’s George Square Gardens, Edinburgh Food Festival runs from Wednesday 26^th – Sunday 30^th July, whetting appetites in preparation for the celebrated Fringe Festival to come.

The free festival welcomes guests of all ages to the gardens, with stallholders offering everything from GROATS porridge, to Alandas Scottish lobster, to Crema Caravan’s crème brulee. Quenching thirsts throughout the five days are a selection of artisan juices and drinks from the likes of JUS, Poco Prosecco and Fyne Ales.

Keeping festivalgoers entertained will be a series of talks and demos taking place in the gardens’ beautiful Piccolo Tent.

For those gastronomically charged or just down right curious, Philippa Marsden, graduate of Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University Gastronomy MSc, will be bringing the phenomena of edible insects to the tent. Regarded by many as an obvious source of protein, Philippa will delve into the what, where and why of insects. ‘Fresh’ samples will be given to the first 50 guests.

Sharon Burgess, MD of Assembly Festival and Edinburgh Food Festival, said:

“We’re excited to be back, bigger and better for a third year with the finest line-up of Scottish stallholders yet. At Assembly we love to push boundaries and challenge perceptions which is why we’ve brought you edible insects, savoury ice-cream and not to forget, Scotland’s biggest brunch! It’s free for all, so bring your friends and family and kick off Edinburgh’s brilliant festival season in good taste.”

It wouldn’t be a summer festival without ice-cream. Hosting a talk on the ‘traditional with a taste-twist’, Jannettas Gelateria will be fusing their award-winning ice-cream with savoury tastes to create unique flavours – think basil and oregano, avocado and blue cheese.

Taking to the stage to talk all things food and drink are key industry figures; Shirley Spear (Founder of The Three Chimneys), Carina Contini (Chef and Restaurateur) and Blair Bowman (Author and Whisky Consultant).

Ending on a satisfying high, Edinburgh Food Festival is hosting the nations biggest Sunday Brunch on 30^th July, 11am – 2pm. Set on the cobbled streets just outside George Square Gardens, a 60-seater table will be in place for the hungry hoards to enjoy a brunch dish specially made by the festival stallholders.

Edinburgh Food Festival has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2014, hosting top industry figures such as Tom Lewis, Guy Grieve and Neil Forbes and welcoming over 25,000 visitors last year.

With quality Scottish food at the heart of it, the festival is a fantastic introduction for visitors to see just a soupçon of what Scotland’s larder has to offer. Entry to the festival and the talks is free and non-ticketed. For talk times and further information visit www.edfoodfest.com. Follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with @EdFoodFest #EdFoodFest2017.

Who can you expect to find there?

GROATS
Umami Spice Girl
Chick & Pea
Cargo Burger
Slow Food Edinburgh
Thinking Chocolate
Alandas Scottish Seafood
Poco Prosecco
Umami Spice Boy
JÜS
We Sell Dumplings
Alandas Gelato
The Crema Caravan
Scoff
Pine Nut Path
Cargo Spud
Crepe & Waffle
Fyne Ales
Jarvis Pickle
The Marshmallow Lady
Madderty Micro
PAD BKK
Paddle & Peel Pizza