Retro recipes in the Chefs Theatre, vegan treats in the Artisan Christmas Market, Champagne Ski Bar and a Scottish Gin Theatre are just some of the festive features food-lovers can look forward to as Foodies Festival brings its winter edition – Foodies Festival Christmas – to Edinburgh’s EICC 13-15th November.
Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre will be transformed into a spectacular culinary wonderland, 13-15th November, as Foodies Festival Christmas brings Scotland’s top chefs, award-winning artisan producers and international street food together under one roof for a fabulous festive feast.
Acclaimed chefs from across Scotland will swap their aprons for Santa hats in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre, sharing their favourite recipes and top tips to help visitors create the perfect Christmas banquet. Confirmed chefs include (more TBA):
Jamie Scott – MasterChef The Professionals Winner 2014
Scott Davies – The Three Chimneys (Michelin starred)
Hardeep Singh Kohli – V Deep
Tony Rodd – MasterChef Finalist 2015
Brian Grigor – Number One at The Balmoral (Michelin starred)
Peter McKenna – The Gannet (2015 AA Scottish Restaurant of The Year)
Neil Forbes – Cafe St Honore
Mark Greenaway – Restaurant Mark Greenaway
Fraser Allen – The Pompadour
Gordon Craig – The Field
Romy Gill – Romy’s Kitchen
Rosario Sartore – Laconda de Gusti
Three Sisters Bake
Ian Pirrie – Edinburgh School of Food & Wine
Retro Recipes in the Chefs Theatre will transport festival-goers back in time to the 1960s when green piped potato, glacé cherries and multi-coloured cheese and jellies were all the rage. Inspired by infamous TV chef Fanny Cradock, several chefs will recreate classic recipes such as the Prawn Cocktail, Baked Alaska, Sherry Trifle, Chicken Kiev, Vol-au-vents and Duck a l’Orange in their own signature style.
An Artisan Christmas Market boasts over 150 of Scotland’s finest producers selling locally produced cheeses, chutneys, chocolates, sauces and jams, biscuits and crackers, cakes, puddings and more for visitors to sample and shop from; perfect for picking-up those little extras that make Christmas extra tasty and special. We will be there with our Handmade Loch Leven Tablet, so be sure to pop by and say hi! Lots of samples and lots of lovely gift bags and boxes for Christmas.
A Vegan area in the Christmas Market offers a range of delicious and healthy vegan, veggie and gluten-free treats for visitors to indulge in including desserts, street food, bakes, condiments, beers, wines and more.
Scottish Gin Theatre – Gin lovers will rejoice as Edinburgh’s gin producers, Daffy’s, Pickering’s and Edinburgh Gin, host daily Christmas Gin Cocktail masterclasses. Wine experts Charles Metcalfe and Neil Philips are also on-hand helping visitors match wines with Christmas flavours in the Drinks Theatre and beer expert Melissa Cole champions craft beers as an alternative to wine and champagne this Christmas in masterclasses with local brewers.
Other features of the festival include a Street Food Village where visitors can feast of flavours from around the world, a Cake & Bake Theatre hosted by Scotland’s top bakers, chocolatiers and GBBO contestants and an accompanying Pudding Hall – a haven of sweet treats selling festive favourites such as eggnog and mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas cakes, marzipan bonbons and macaroons.
While parents shop and enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly from the Champagne Ski Bar, children under 12 can enrol in the Elf Cookery School with Kiddy Cook, where they can bake and decorate snowballs, gingerbread men, cookies and cupcakes to leave out for Santa.
Just like Christmas day there is lots of post-feasting fun to be had with live music, local choirs singing carols and entertainment throughout the day. Visitors can enter the Chilly-Eating Competition (the winter version of the famous chilli contest), register their team to compete in the Christmas Bumper Quiz and have a group Christmas jumper picture taken in the photo booth.
Hopefully see you there!