Scotland’s Larder Live 2018

The Gregorian Calendar is generally accepted worldwide, commencing in January with academic versions for the scholarly running mid year to mid year. Not for me. My diary would run from June to June as surely the Royal Highland Show is the pinnacle of our year? This iconic show is the biggest and best in Scotland and continues to be increasingly successful and popular with local and visitors alike.

It is certainly a celebration: a venue for meeting up with friends across our nation; signing deals and eating meals; tasting treats and checking out beasts. For some, tractors and combines are cool; others get creative with crafts and admire the parades of pedigree creatures in the show ring. For me and fellow foodies, Scotland’s Larder Live is where we gravitate, the centre of the intricate web of food, farming and rural life that is RHS – and 90% of the 190K visitors obviously agree as they too head for this extravaganza of food.

The hundred or so exhibitors in Scotland’s Larder Live exhibition hall range from Dumfries and Galloway to Orkney, East Lothian to Arran, highland delicacies and lowland specialties. There are malts and gins; Highland beef and Aberdeenshire seafood; regional dairy products and local rapeseed oils, not to mention the chocolates, fudge and other sweet treats. Not only is it an opportunity to taste and buy but also to meet producers from the length and breadth of Scotland, many with fascinating tales to tell. The sights and scents are an experience for all and purchases provide a lasting memory of a grand day out.

All four corners of the Scotland’s Larder Live Hall feature a special event, resulting in a winning combo at all compass points I think you will agree! The northeast corner hosts The Scottish Ice Cream, Cheese and Butter Championships with entries increasing year on year. There is a category to suit everyone and a team of judges evaluating tubs and truckles, butter pats and ices. Scotland has a growing network of cheesemakers and it is fantastic to see so many of them displaying their creations, with Scottish Cheese Trail hosting a pop up Tasting Kiosk where visitors can sample cheese entries for themselves.

To the southeast is the Tastings & Talks Theatre, a popular haunt for those wishing to learn more from the mouths of the makers: a chance to hear the story of a family farm growing rapeseed oil or a honey producer buzzing with enthusiasm! Stories to inspire and accompanied by tastes of their produce.

Over in the southwest corner is the Scottish Bread Championships, created and convened by Scotland The Bread and Scottish Food Guide, its authoritative judging panel organized by Real Bread Campaign co-founder Andrew Whitley. Similar to cheese, there will be bread makers around from time to time inviting you to taste their entries and discuss the finer points of a successful loaf. The display of entries will be a feast for the eyes.

Amidst this cornucopia of fine produce, in the northwest corner sits Scotland’s Larder Live Cookery Theatre, the 120seat arena open to all visitors to pull up a chair and watch Scotland’s finest chefs in action. We have award-winning chefs from across the land, passionate about our Scottish produce and, unlike most events, generously giving their time free of charge to support this theatre such is their commitment to Scottish producers. Words cannot sufficiently express my thanks and appreciation for their warmth and enthusiasm, so come and watch, taste their creations – Scotland’s Larder Live Cookery Theatre, where Scotland’s food is the Celebrity and these guys are legends!

Appearing at Scotland’s Larder Live, we welcome…..

Tom Lewis, Mhor, Winner of Regional Ambassador for the Central, Fife and Tayside region 2017 & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Neil Forbes, Café St Honoré. Chef of the Year at the Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards 2014 & Scotland’s first Soil Association Organic Restaurant Award & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Graeme Pallister, 63 Tay Street. CiS Chef of the Year Award 2013 & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Craig Wilson, The Kilted Chef, Eat on the Green, VisitScotland’s Ambassador for Scotland’s Food and Drink in New York for Scotland Week. 2014, Winner CiS Excellence Award Food Tourism 2018

Carina Contini, Contini Restaurants, Winner CiS Excellence Award Sustainable Business 2018 & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Paul Newman, Errichel House and Cottages, Thyme at Errichel Restaurant, Aberfeldy, Winner of Food & Drink Awards 2018 & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

 Iain Campbell, award-winning 7th generation Master Baker, Campbell’s Bakery, with Ark of Taste Selkirk Bannock

Cringletie House – the award-winning team promise you another entertaining performance!

Chris Rowley, Ballintaggart Farm, Thistle Award Most Hospitable B&B 2017, Central, Fife and Tayside, Finalist CiS Excellence Award Food Tourism 2018

Andrew Whitley, Bread Matters, acclaimed bread expert & co-founder of Scotland The Bread

Ali Abercrombie, AliBob @ Cairn O’Mohr, Errol & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Peter McKenna, Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance, with his Parisienne Sommelier Severine Sloboda, The Gannet, Glasgow

Morven Hastie, Wishingwell Farmhouse, Drymen

Wendy Barrie, Founder & Director award-winning Scottish Food Guide & Scottish Cheese Trail & Member of Slow Food Chef Alliance

Robbie Penman, Scottish Culinary Team Manager, Federation of Chefs Scotland

Jamie MacKinnon, Sous Chef, The Seafood Ristorante, St Andrews

The Royal Highland Show takes place from 21st  – 24th June https://www.royalhighlandshow.org