The BBC Good Food Show Scotland opens this morning at SECC Glasgow and food lovers are promised three days of culinary entertainment by the countries top chefs and the opportunity to meet some Scotland’s best local and artisan food producers.
Being down under in Australia means I’ll miss this years show but as a seasoned show visitor and part of the BBC Good Food Show Blogging Community, I’ve been checking out who’s who in the producers village and in the Regional Food Pavillion. These are unique areas at the show and it gives shoppers the opportunity to meet producers who pride themselves on quality and the provenance of the food they produce.
Here’s some of my favourite producers and be sure to try some of their delicious samples before you buy.
Ramsay of Carluke is a veteran of BBC Good Food Shows are their stand is always a favourite with shoppers. Family butchers and bacon curers for over 150 years, Ramsay of Carluke takes great pride in the exceptional quality, flavour and texture of their traditional meat products. Find award winning traditionally cured Ayrshire bacon, black pudding, sausages, haggis and free range cooked ham and pork. Andrew Ramsay heads up the team and you’ll find plenty of tasty samples on the stand.
Andrew Ramsay with his traditionally cured Ayrshire bacon.
A newcomer to this years show is Spice Pots and owner Melanie Auld will be showcasing her range of Indian spice blends, each comes with a recipe card to make great curries. I’ve been using these to experiment with some recipe development using Scottish salmon and highly recommend the blends.
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The range includes Goan, Korma, Bhuna and Tandoori Masala. Gift packs are also available and the colourful attractive packaging makes Spice Pots a great Christmas gift. Find Melanie in the Regional Food Pavillion on the East Lothian Food and Drink Stand – A50
Another must have at the show is award winning artisian jams, chutney’s and preserves from Perthsire Preserves. These are a long time favourite of mine and owners Iain McKenzie and Kate Thornhill will have the full range available on stand B102. These top quality preserves are made by hand in small batches and will also make great Christmas gifts. In the savoury range my favourites include Hot Banana Chutney and Curried Tomato & Chilli Chutney. An ideal gift for a couple would be the Deanston Whisky Marmalade and the Strawberry and Pink Champagne Conserve.
Gift packs and hampers are also available
Summer Harvest are regulars at BBC Good Food Show with their ever popular range of Scottish rapeseed oils, salad dressings and vinegars. Owners Mark and Maggie Bush grow their own crops on their Perthsire farm as well as pressing and bottling all their own oil. I’ve been using Summer Harvest oils for a number of years now and their rapeseed oil, mayonnaise and vinegars are firm favourites in my kitchen. The White Trufle and Black Truffle Oils are outstanding and make a wonderful addition to risottos and soups. Perfect for drizzling over the finished dish.
The Summer Harvest range is also available in gift boxes and will make great gifts for anyone who enjoys cooking. Find them on stand C47
Another newcomer and BBC Good Food Show Bursary Award winner is Ayrshire’s Aye Love Real Food.
Husband and wife team, Mark and Jacqui Davidson started their fresh food business in 2014 with a focus on using the fresh and local ingredients available on their doorstep. Since then they have become familiar faces and favourites with shoppers at farmers markets and food festivals throughout Scotland The Aye Love Real Food range includes their amazing handmade Scotch eggs with yolks that always perfectly cooked.
Amazing Scotch eggs from Aye Love Real Food
Warming stews, Cullen Skink and gourmet sausage rolls have been added to the range and with a seasonally changing menu there’s always something different available. I’ve followed Mark and Jacqui’s journey and have always been impressed by the consistently high quality of the food they produce. Find them on the Bursary Award Winners stands.
This is just a snapshot of over 100 producers who will be exhibiting at this years show. Check out the BBC Good Food Show website for full details of exhibitors and of course the timetable to see the celeb chefs in the supertheatre. Paul Hollywood will open the show at 10 am and he’ll be on stage throughout the day with national favourite Mary Berry.
