News / ‘Bigger and better’ Food Fair launches
THE ANNUAL Shetland Food Fair launched on Friday night in full foodie splendour, writes Elizabeth Atia.
This year’s fair promises to be bigger and better than ever, with stalls filling both the Main Hall and Bowls Hall in the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick.
The fair was opened during a VIP reception by award winning cookery book author and chair of the Shetland Food and Drink Association Marian Armitage, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott and Peter Hutchison, representing Northlink Ferries, the main sponsors of this year’s event.
Tavish Scott explained that the food and drinks industry in Shetland is bigger than any other industry in these islands, exceeding the value of oil, gas, agriculture, and tourism combined, and that we, as islanders, need to recognise how important this industry is and make full use of its potential.
The main aim of the Shetland Food Fair is to broaden local awareness of the exceptional quality of the food and drink produced in Shetland and how we, as consumers, can directly support these producers.
“Buy local!” urged Marian, “Dunna send yer money sooth!”
This year visitors to the Shetland Food Fair will be treated to cookery demonstrations in the Main Hall by well known local chefs, visiting Master Chefs and even school children.
The new heritage area in the Bowls Hall will teach us more about traditional Shetland home cooking, and on Sunday the live final of Shetland’s Cooking Challenge will be sure to impress.
Lunch is available in the multi-use room, if you have any space left after sampling the finest food and drink Shetland has to offer directly from the food stalls – including many newly launched products. New gin, oatcakes and Shetland sea salt are a few of the newest products to hit the shelves in Shetland. Do pop along for a taste!
The Shetland Food Fair is open this weekend on Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Entry costs £2 for adults or £3.50 for a weekend pass. Children are free.
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