http://www.shetlandfoodfestival.co.uk/index.php/_common/foodfestival_rss Shetland Food Festival News en Copyright 2008 2008-08-11T08:35:38+00:00 http://www.shetlandfoodfestival.co.uk/index.php/news/article/food_festival_plans_step_up_a_gear/ http://www.shetlandfoodfestival.co.uk/index.php/news/article/food_festival_plans_step_up_a_gear/#When:08:35:38Z Preparations are now well under way for Shetland’s first Food Festival, which will take place between Friday 3 October and Sunday 12 October and is supported by EventScotland.  The festival will celebrate Shetland’s local produce and will feature a number of events, including cookery demonstrations, talks about Shetland food and, on the first weekend, a farmers’ market at Clickimin Centre. The Council’s Economic Development Unit, which is organising the festival, will shortly be writing to local food producers about the farmers’ market, where there will be an excellent selection of the best that Shetland has to offer from land and sea. The Unit will also be getting in touch with local eateries, which it’s hoped will offer special menus focusing on Shetland ingredients and including some traditional dishes. Neil Henderson, Principal Marketing Officer, said: “The ingredients that Shetland produces are amongst the best to be found anywhere. This is a chance to put them in the spotlight so that they can be better appreciated both in the isles and elsewhere. There’s a real opportunity here for anyone connected with Shetland food and we hope they’ll want to get involved.” He added that he was very keen to hear from any hall committees, youth groups or other voluntary organisations that would be interested in organising an event or participating in some other way.  “Anyone wanting to discuss the festival plans is very welcome to call me on 01595 744960 or Alastair Hamilton on 01595 744924”, he said. Mr Henderson expects at least one very well-known face from the food world to be seen in Shetland over the festival period. 2008-08-11T08:35:38+00:00