Smart Talking with Scottish Food Fortnight

In this week’s Smart Talking we chat to Sophie Fraser of Scotland Food & Drink about Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight 2011.

Fungi Foray

Hi Sophie, welcome to Smart Talking. Please tell us more about Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.

Sophie: The Fortnight is a celebration of Scottish produce, taking place throughout the country from the 3rd – 18th September 2011, encouraging people to discover the fantastic food and drink we have in Scotland.

What can visitors to the events learn and what do you hope they can take away in terms of information on Scottish food and drink?

Sophie: I hope they’ll learn more about the availability of local produce and where they can buy it, either as ingredients to cook at home or where to enjoy it eating out.

How can people get involved in Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight?

Sophie: Imagination is the only constraint!  The Fortnight is accessible for all ages, tastes and budgets. There are a huge number and variety of events across Scotland from food festivals to cookery demonstrations and wild food forays. Even making an effort to ‘Eat Scottish’ more at home is a great start!

What do Scottish food and drink producers want to get out of this event?

Sophie: The Fortnight gives us a focused two weeks during which we can highlight the country’s fantastic food and drink. It enables producers to raise the profile of their products, offering them another opportunity to engage with consumers. Events like this can really help to spread the word about great Scottish produce, for locals and visitors to Scotland alike.

How can visitors to the events help further the cause of championing Scottish food and drink?

Sophie: Scots are becoming increasingly aware of just how much fantastic food and drink we have to be proud of. Visitors will have a good experience and tell people about it. They may buy product to take home. It all builds Scotland’s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink, and increases recognition of our quality produce which is exported all over the world.

Sampling the product

Can you give us an idea of some of the activities taking place during the fortnight?

Sophie: There are events ranging from promotions in multiple retailers, to food festivals, wild food forays, cookery demonstrations, Blasda, the World Stovies Championship at Huntly Hairst and individuals pledging to ‘Eat Scottish’ for lunch or the whole Fortnight!

And since we’re on the subject of Scottish food and drink, do you have any personal favourites you’d like to share with us?

Sophie: It is no secret that I love food and enjoy cooking, particularly having friends over for meals ‘en famille’. I really enjoy haggis and think we have are blessed with good beef, pork and lamb in Scotland. Having hated fish all my life I am making up for lost time and enjoying tasting our seafood too!

Many thanks for Smart Talking with us, Sophie and here’s to a fantastic Scottish Food Fortnight.

Sophie: Thank you, a pleasure.

A full event listing, more info and a range of competitions are available at www.scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk

Visit www.facebook.com/eatscottish or follow @ScotFoodFort on Twitter.