Industry Gears Up For Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight

As Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight gets closer, restaurants across Scotland are preparing to support the event with tailored events designed to support Scotland's rich and varied larder.

In Edinburgh, Cafe St Honoré will be replacing wine with beer for Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.

Cafe St Honoré, one of Edinburgh’s most popular restaurants, has teamed up with Scottish oak-aged beer producer Innis & Gunn to present a special Harvest Supper on Tuesday, 6 September as part of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.

Neil Forbes, executive chef at Cafe St Honoré and Innis & Gunn founder Dougal Sharp, have been working together to match beer with a four-course menu consisting of entirely homegrown food and drink.

Neil commented: "Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is a great showcase for Scotland’s natural larder at the best time of year.

"It’s the shooting season, apples are falling from the trees and it’s time to bring the crops in.

"The menu I’ve created lets the ingredients speak for themselves and I can think of nothing nicer than a Scottish beer to wash it all down with."

Diners can expect to sample grass-fed rose veal, hand-dived west coast scallops, Borders roe deer and a bramley apple pudding, as well as listening to short talks from the producers before each course.

Dougal Sharp commented: "We are passionate about creating oak-aged beers that are full of flavour and we relish the opportunity to match them with food.

"Neil’s menu of simple, Scottish ingredients really brings out the best in our beers. The event is also a chance for us to meet our customers in a relaxed environment."

Places can be reserved by emailing Cafe St Honoré or calling 0131 2262211.

Cafe St Honoré, located in North West Thistle Street Lane in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, serves the very best Scottish produce in an authentically Parisian bistro interior.

Executive chef Neil Forbes and his kitchen team pride themselves on producing everything in-house using ingredients sourced from local producers and suppliers, thus supporting the local economy and reducing food miles in line with their Slow Food philosophy.

The a la carte menu changes daily, reflecting the seasons, and is supported by a Cafe Classics menu of favourites such as beef bourguignon, simple steamed fish dishes and crème brûlée.

Neil grew up in a family of chefs in the Highland town of Pitlochry. He has worked alongside some of the world’s greatest chefs including Raymond Blanc and Michael Roux.

In February this year, he was named Scottish Chef of the Year at the acclaimed Scottish Restaurant Awards when he was particularly praised for his use of Scottish seasonal produce of which he is an avid promoter.

His Saturday morning visits to Edinburgh Farmers’ Market form part of his kitchen’s culture for regular communication with suppliers.

Innis & Gunn was established in 2003 as a joint venture with a leading drinks firm which approached Dougal Sharp, then head brewer at Caledonian, to create a beer that would lend the perfect finish to a cask ale reserve whisky.

The beer was too good to throw away so Innis & Gunn (the middle names of Dougal Sharp and his brother, Neil) was formed. Dougal led an MBO in January 2008 and the business is now privately owned.

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight takes place from 3-18 September 2011, highlighting the wealth of Scottish food and drink on offer to consumers.

It encourages the food industry - from restaurants to retailers and caterers - to source and champion the country’s quality produce.

The aim of the culinary extravaganza is to encourage consumers to discover, buy and enjoy the food and drink produced on their doorstep, building Scotland’s reputation as a ‘Land of Food and Drink’.

Last year’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight was the most successful to date, with 136 events taking place across the country.

Support came from multiple and smaller retailers including independent delicatessens and farm shops, food festivals, foodservice outlets, food groups, visitor attractions and restaurants which celebrated the event with a range of activities from in-store tastings to special events and menus.

The event is being managed by Scotland Food & Drink for the third consecutive year. Email Sophie Fraser or call her on 0131 3350952 for more information.

More foodie events taking place in Scotland.