Castle Douglas Development Forum has revealed a tasty line up of events, demonstrations and activities for its inaugural Harvest Food Festival, a new harvest themed 2-day food event that launches this September.
Taking place on 9th and 10th September at various locations in the town, the Castle Douglas Harvest Food Festival combines the best of local flavours and talent with special guests from further afield, alongside an exciting programme of activities and challenges.
Local experts lead the demonstrations, with jam and chutney making demonstrations from Margaret Vaughan and Tom Kirkpatrick ( Main Photo). Honey bee keeping will be discussed alongside a special cooking with honey demonstration from local honey producer John Lockwood. Tom Grierson will lead a butchery demonstration and there will be chocolate making workshops with Artisan Chocolatier Gillian Warden of In House Chocolates and baking bees from Annette’s Baking in a box.
Castle Douglas’ reputation as having some of the best butchers and bakers in Scotland will be cemented as members of the public will be invited to defeat the food town challenge in a ‘Man Vs Food style burger eating contest. Local drinks are on the menu too. CD’s own Sulwath Brewers will be running a beer festival, there will be a local cider bar and the juniper gin palace featuring D&G’s own Hills and Harbour Gin from Crafty Distillery.
An inspiring line up of chefs will take centre stage in the festivities, amongst them Billy Boyter, Scotland’s newest Michelin starred chef, from The Cellar at Anstruther. He’ll be joined by Scottish Chef of the Year, Ian McAndrew from the Blackaddie in Sanquhar; Martin Avey of Del Amitri at Powfoot , Cheryl Radwell of The Willow Tree in Palnackie and legendary Castle Douglas chef Carlo Bignami of Carlos.
The festival links into the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 by hosting a vintage vehicle display and by explaining Castle Douglas’ rich food and agricultural heritage with a talk by local historian Alistair Livingston. Numerous Musical performances organised by Kim Kirk Events will provide a fantastic atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Chair of the Development Forum, Sarah-Jane Allsopp, said:
“We are thrilled by the response we’ve had from chefs, businesses and artisan producers across Dumfries & Galloway and further afield all keen to take part in this new event, and we are delighted to bring such a talented and inspirational mix of foodie experts together for this exciting new festival.
“Castle Douglas has a proud history as a food destination, traditional market town and as an agricultural community. This festival seeks to celebrate all the different food elements of our town at a time of year when the natural bounty of our local larder is most evident.
“The Castle Douglas Harvest Food Festival celebrates the quality and passion of our local food and drink sector, and it acknowledges the value and importance of our food sector to our local community.”
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