Food fayre exhibits best of local food and drink

As part of Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight 2018, Borders College is inviting members of the public to celebrate some of the best of food and drink produced and sourced in the Borders at its ‘Local Food on Local Plates’ event on Tuesday 11 September 2018.

As the local provider of catering and hospitality qualifications, the College has joined the campaign to champion the Scottish food and drink industry, which aims to become a £30bn industry by the year 2030, as well as showcase local talent and whip up interest in careers in the sector. Curriculum Learning Manager, Joanne George, believes Local Food on Local Plates will help to inspire future uptake of education and ultimately employment in this industry, commenting:
“Working in partnership with our local industry providers to deliver this exciting event will not only raise the profile of our local food producers and suppliers here in the Borders, but also showcase the wide range of opportunities to learn and work in this growing industry.”

The exciting FREE event to be held at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels will include a food fayre, where local food producers and suppliers will be exhibiting their products for visitors to view and purchase on the day.

A barista bar will also be open, where catering and hospitality students from the College will serve fresh drinks and light meals to visitors.
But the main attraction will be four chef demonstrations, led by Jacqueline O’Donnell of The Sisters Restaurants, Glasgow who has made many TV appearances including on the Great British Menu and will be demonstrating one of her delicious puddings. Also delivering demos will be Amanda Jordan, pastry chef at Firebrick Brasserie, Lauder, with a joint demo by head chefs Jonny Millar of The Townhouse Hotel and Craig Gibb of sister hotel Burts in Melrose, as well as Iain Gourlay, head chef at Cringletie House Hotel near Peebles.

Will Haegeland, Deputy General Manager at Cringletie and Chair of the Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership said of the inaugural event:
“Food, hospitality and tourism is the key growth sector for the Scottish Borders.  We deliver top world class quality from a local larder of ingredients, but to some extent this is a hidden gem. To succeed and to sustain economic growth, we need to more clearly get the attention of the growing number of visitors to Scotland and attract them here. We also need to encourage young people to choose food, tourism and hospitality as a career path of choice. To achieve this we need more ambassadors to “sing and dance” about our industry and the experiences, excitement and quality we provide. That is why you should take this opportunity to come, take part and see what we provide.”
For those who wish to attend a chef demonstration, booking is essential as places are limited.  To find out demonstration times and book online, visit www.borderscollege.ac.uk/localfood today.

Further information about the event is also available by contacting the Catering and Hospitality team at Borders College on 08700 50 51 52.
Borders College looks forward to welcoming all the ‘foodies’ out there to this fantastic event!

#scotfoodgoals

Food fayre exhibitors include;
Border Meringues

Borderfields oils

Borders Cookware

Borders Distillery

Born in the Borders

Carroll’s Heritage Potatoes

Caverton Mill Blueberries 

Kiki’s Chocolates 

Lindsey’s Farm Kitchen
Homemade liqueurs

Ooft! Hot Sauces

Peelham Charcuterie 

Sweet Polly’s Cakery

Thomas and Ethel Bakery