Office workers up and down the country are being urged to switch their usual 11o’clock tea time treat for a Scottish favourite this week to celebrate Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.

This year, the Fortnight, which runs from 2nd – 17th 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 four (4th September) is office meeting, and the Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, James Withers, is asking office workers to bring along some beautiful Scottish shortbread to enjoy with their 11am cup of tea or coffee.

This year, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight ties in with VisitScotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Shortbread is often produced in the form of petticoat tails – a large circular biscuit which can be broken off into triangular segments. The round, thin, crisp Scottish shortbread is noted in the annals of the gastronomic Cleikum Club, dating back to 1829. It says: “First, a small circle is cut out of the center and the outer circle cut into segments to make a shape resembling a lady’s bell-hoop crinoline petticoat. Removing the pointed ends of the wedge avoided breakage.”

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.

“If you have an office meeting this week, why not liven it up by bringing along some delicious shortbread, made by a traditional Scots producer such as Walkers, Deans or the Shortbread House?

“Just one change can make a huge difference and may encourage lots of other people to take part – so get involved and let us know what you are doing to support the Fortnight.”