Foodies Festival Christmas comes to Edinburgh’s EICC 13-15th November with a promise of 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.
Top chefs will give inspiration for a magical Christmas dinner. Confirmed chefs include (more TBA):
Jamie Scott – MasterChef The Professionals Winner 2014
Scott Davies – The Three Chimneys
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. (This sounds amazing, really looking forward to this being a 70’s kid)
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.
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, (yum!) 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 (Melissa rocks, worth it for her!) 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.
Tickets:
Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111
Friday adult day ticket £13.00 (£11.00 concession)
Saturday or Sunday adult day ticket £15.00 (£13.00 concession)
3-day adult ticket £20.00 (£16.00 concession)
Friday VIP ticket £35.00
Saturday or Sunday VIP ticket £38.00
VIP tickets include a welcome glass of bubbly, access to the VIP lounge with private bar and refreshments throughout the day, priority entry to food and drink masterclasses, a festive goody bag and a showguide.
All children aged 12 and under go free to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult.
Open times:
Friday 13th November: 5pm – 9pm
Saturday 14th November: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 15th November: 10am – 5pm
Sponsors: Co-op, Deliveroo, Daily Mail
