Undiscovered Scotland

 

The Edinburgh Foodies Festival takes place each year over a three day weekend in early August. Weather has caused problems in previous years and the festival did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions, but 2022 saw the Foodies Festival return and 2023 was its sixteenth year, the ninth in Inverleith Park.

Access and parking at Inverleith Park are excellent and the event takes place in a gated village which has grown markedly in size over the eight years it has been sited there. Previously the festival had taken place in Holyrood Park, close to the Scottish Parliament buildings and Holyrood Palace, in an area much less accessible and prone to flooding. The views from Inverleith Park are pretty special too, taking in Edinburgh Castle and part of the city skyline. The popularity of the Edinburgh Foodies Festival also ensured that 2023 was another sell out event.

The Edinburgh Foodies Festival is a celebration of fine food and drink and culinary talent presented in a format that is repeated across the UK at similar events through the year. The Chefs' Theatre is at the heart of this event, playing host to some of the nation's finest culinary talent including Michelin-starred and other award-winning chefs and celebrities, including MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals champions. (Continues below image...)

 

Over the three days of the festival, a succession of chefs are in attendance preparing their favourite dishes live on stage and passing on hints and tips for you to try at home.

Fancy putting those hints and tips into practice? A series of hands-on food and drink masterclasses led by industry experts also takes place, with plenty of tastings and opportunities to quiz the very best in their field. And children are catered for too, with their own special cooking area, The Children's Theatre. Here, a team of chefs is on hand to encourage youngsters to grasp the basics, whilst promoting fun, healthy eating.

Chefs from Scotland's leading restaurants are also in attendance preparing their signature dishes for visitors to taste, as are representatives from the capital's top bars, preparing a colourful and enticing array of summer cocktails. Relax in the sunshine, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment.

The festival offers the opportunity to shop for ingredients from local producers who, as well as selling fresh seasonal produce, are on hand with samples for visitors to try and with tips on how to make the most of Scotland's abundant larder. Speciality food and drink producers from further afield, including from the rest of Europe and beyond are also represented. So if it is spice you are after, you won't be disappointed!

The 2023 festival continued its association with Musicians Against Homelessness, first introduced in 2018, with a dedicated music stage and extended opening times. Acts from The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as headliners Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fleur East, Scouting for Girls, Martin Kemp and Blue all took to the stage to entertain the crowds. There was also a children's cookery theatre, luxury VIP tent and a host of pop-up bars, restaurants and street food outlets.

The Foodies Festival provides a great day out for all the family and tickets are valid for the full three days. Simply sign up on arrival for the Chefs' Theatre, Drinks Theatres and Pop-Up Restaurants, and you are guaranteed a varied and interesting program of events all included in the entrance fee to the festival.