News / ‘Bigger than ever’ food fair
ORGANISERS say this year’s Food Fair promises to be “bigger than ever” with an increase in the number of stalls and the addition of a food theatre.
The fair takes place at Clickimin’s multi-use room and squash courts next weekend, from 14-16 November, coinciding with the Christmas Craft Fair.
Around 20 producers, many of whom are new, will set out stalls offering a “mouth-watering” range of Shetland vegetables, mussels, pork, lamb, beef, cheese, cakes, bread, beer, confectionery, gin and more to buy.
Providing a taste of what is on offer – and sustaining hungry visitors – will be a central stall with a range of snacks and light bites, all with Shetland produce at their core.
Event organiser Jay Hawkins, of Shetland Cheese, said: “It is shaping up to be another great event celebrating all the first-class Shetland produce that is available on our doorstep. The event is going to be bigger than last year with more producers and a few welcome changes.”
The event kicks off on the night of Friday 14 November with a “much-anticipated” launch of local author Marian Armitage’s book ‘Shetland Food and Cooking’.
Hawkins said: “Then the doors will open on Saturday at 11am and visitors will see a slight change to last year’s model with the inclusion of the popular Food Theatre, sponsored by A Taste of Shetland.
“Over the weekend local chefs will be cooking up delicious treats to inspire visitors to try new ways of using Shetland’s fabulous local ingredients. The food demonstrations will take place in the multi-use room and there will be lots of tasters and recipe cards to take home, so be sure to visit.”
He said the organisers were also delighted there would be shellfish at the Food Fair thanks to Frankie’s and Blueshell Mussels, including “freshly cooked mussels in tasty sauces”.
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“Food producers will be located around the complex,” Hawkins said, “so look out for the signs and visit the squash court area where there will be a refreshment area and a large selection of stalls to browse and sample delicious treats.”
Among the new producers attending the fair are Shetlandeli Chutneys, Da Kitchen Bakery, Shetland Fudge Company, Shetland Reel Gin and Transition Turrifield vegetables.
Hawkins added that another new addition this year would be a Shetland Food Champion award, with the winner to be announced following the last cookery demonstration on Sunday afternoon.
You can still vote for your Shetland foodie favourite either by emailing info@shetlandfoodtrail.co.uk or by casting your vote over the Food Fair weekend.
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