Information Bulletin
Shetland's First Food Festival Plans Take Shape
Plans are being made for Shetland’s first food festival, to be held between 3 and 12 October 2008. The programme for the Shetland Festival of Food will include several events embracing food of all kinds, but the emphasis will be very much on celebrating Shetland’s excellent local produce.
Neil Henderson, the Council’s Principal Marketing Officer, said: “The establishment of a food festival is one of the things we agreed to do in the Shetland Food and Drink Strategy and – like the Strategy – it’s intended to help foster a food and drink industry in Shetland that focuses on quality and that’s both innovative and sustainable. On the one hand, it’s important to encourage more local awareness of the great things we have in the Shetland larder among all sections of the community including, especially, children. On the other, we also need to build Shetland’s reputation for high quality among customers beyond the isles.”
The Festival is therefore not simply about enjoying good food. As well as bolstering confidence and raising reputation, it’s hoped that it will also highlight the skills of the professionals who work in food production, retail and hospitality. It should also publicise career and training opportunities in food and help to raise standards in customer service. “It’s also important”, says Mr Henderson, “that we encourage stronger links between our food producers and the customer. These days, people don’t just want to know where their food came from, but who produced it and how. Success will depend in part on building good relationships.”
The event is likely to take a similar form to many regional food festivals elsewhere, particularly in England, which have contributed to the resurgence in interest in regional specialities and local food traditions. The Festival should also help to increase visitor numbers in what’s known as the ‘shoulder season’ and will coincide, for four days, with the Accordion and Fiddle Festival.
Planning is at an early stage but Neil Henderson is looking forward to ten very busy days. “There will be cooking demonstrations from expert chefs, an extensive Shetland farmers’ market, talks on food, school activities and food workshops. All eateries throughout Shetland will be encouraged to participate by focusing menus on local produce.” The Festival received a boost this week with the announcement by EventScotland that they have agreed to offer a grant of £14,400 towards costs.
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