Scots up and down the country are being encouraged to embrace the great outdoors this Saturday (2nd September) and take their breakfast, lunch or dinner outside for a picnic to mark the start of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.
This year, the Fortnight, which runs from 2-17 September, is urging the great Scottish public to change one thing about their eating and drinking habits to allow them to incorporate elements of Scotland’s rich food and drink larder into their day (#onethingfortnight).
Each day of the Fortnight has an inspirational theme to get the great Scottish public – whether they spend their day in a school, office, factory, restaurant or kitchen – to enjoy a Scottish product or two.
The theme for day one (2 September) is picnics, and the Director of Skye’s Three Chimneys restaurant, Shirley Spear, recommends a top Scottish food for making to take outdoors is the esteemed Forfar Bridie. As well as being delicious to eat, the tasty meat and onion pastie traditionally made with shortcrust or flaky pastry will store perfectly in a picnic hamper until you are ready to enjoy your feast.
This year, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight ties in with VisitScotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. The history of the Forfar Bridie dates back to the mid-1900’s where it was was first made by a man called Mr Jolly who was a Forfar baker. Opinions differ on the origin of its name – was it after a woman named Bridie who hawked them about the town in the late 1800s? Or was it after its lucky horseshoe shape, making it popular fare at the bride’s meal?
James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink said:
“Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what we have here in Scotland. Producers, chefs and the wider food and drink sector are often too humble about the part they play in showcasing Scotland’s natural larder and so the Fortnight give us the chance to celebrate them and the part they play in our fantastic industry, whilst also demonstrating to the wider public just why Scotland has earned the reputation as a Land of Food and Drink.
“Why not get the Fortnight off to a fun start by taking a meal outdoors for picnic? This weekend is the Dundee Flower and Food Festival which presents the perfect opportunity for packing up a picnic hamper for the day. But no matter where you are in the country, why not cook up a storm, get your best plastic cutlery and crockery together and enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
“Just one change can make a huge difference, so get involved and let us know what you are doing to support the Fortnight.”
For more information visit www.fooddrinkfort.scot
