Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink

Food has taken on a bit of a celebrity status throughout the country and there’s rarely a week passes without a national day to promote some kind of food. From bread to cupcakes and sausage to bacon we always seem to be paying homage to food. However, this year the Scots are celebrating in a much bigger way and 2015, if you haven’t already heard,  is Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 

This year’s celebration comes hot on the heels of the Year of  Homecoming and the triumphant sporting events, where Scottish produce featured prominently. The perfect example was the Commonwealth Games venue at Glasgow Green where the  Food Village saw Scottish food producers providing top quality food for visitors. It was no ordinary street food; west coast langoustines and smoked salmon  was offered alongside stovies, steaks and shepherds pies, all made with the best of Scottish beef and lamb.

This was just one example of how well the country’s producers helped showcase the delicious food and drink available to visitors to the city. The aim of the Year of Food and Drink is to mark, highlight and promote Scotland’s abundant quality produce to visitors, demonstrating that Scotland is a destination for delicious food and drink, and it’s key role in our economic growth and cultural development.

To help increase exposure and showcase the the fantastic produce Scotland has to offer, Scotland Food and Drink and Think Local have come together to create 12 industry- focused food and drink themes to coincide with the Year of Food and Drink’s visitor events being held by Event Scotland and Visit Scotland

February’s theme was ‘Food of Love’ and I got involved by cooking with Slow Food West of Scotland at the relaunch of Queens Park farmers market in Glasgow.

The three dishes, beetroot & carrot soup, beremeal blinis with smoked salmon & Dunlop Dairy crowdie and venison steak with whisky & ginger wine sauce, reflected the seasonal produce available at the market, with a tie in to the monthly theme.

My feature on venison along with the recipe for venison steak with whisky and ginger wine sauce  is available on the Eat Scottish blog  and makes a delicious romantic meal for 2.