South of Scotland launches virtual advent calendar

SCOTLAND Starts Here, a campaign to promote businesses in the South of Scotland, has launched a virtual advent calendar. Behind each of the 24 windows, Christmas shoppers can find an exclusive experience, gift or treasure, only available from the website. The range of gifts available includes food and drink experiences, sport and outdoor activities, and…

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Kids told to play with their food

TATTIE supplier Scotty Brand is launching a mash potato art competition – and has created some spud-tacular examples. Scottish sculptor Natasha Phoenix has sculptured Prime Minister Boris Johnson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon from mashed potato. Her nine-year-old twin girls, Hope and Talia Phoenix-Hill, also created tattie versions of Minnie the Minx from the Beano…

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Drinks maker grasps the nettle to extend range

A DRINKS business that was launched during lockdown has teamed up with Scotland’s Rural College to turn nettles into a “healthy shot”. Hugo Morrissey, founder of Edinburgh-based Nuisance Drinks, released a sparkling nettle pressé earlier this year. Now, he’s working with development chef Mark Barker in the college’s SAC Consulting test kitchen to extend his…

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Perth curry maker expands team of chefs

DEMAND for restauranteur Praveen Kumar’s frozen curries has soared during the pandemic. The Perthshire-based entrepreneur launched Praveen Kumar Authentic Indian Cuisine in April 2019 and has expanded his workforce to 18 people to cope with the demand. His curries are being delivered throughout the UK and two of his dishes – kodi koora and butter…

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Scottish brands offer ‘Sober October’ serving suggestions

A PAIR of Scottish brands has teamed up to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support during Sober October. Rapscallion Soda and alcohol-free “spirit” maker Feragaia will each donate £1 for each online sale made from Monday until the end of the month. Gregor Leckie, founder of Rapscallion Soda, said: “It’s always been our mission to…

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Festival to boost Glasgow coffee shops

GLASGOW Coffee Festival is taking to the streets to promote local businesses. The festival, which has been running for six years, was due to take place in May, but was postponed due to the lockdown. Plans to run the festival indoors next month have now also had to be changed to fit in with Scottish…

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Leith market’s Oktoberfest starts today

THE first of three Oktoberfest weekends gets underway today at Pitt Street Market in Leith “Pittöberfest” features Barney’s Beer, Bellfield, Campervan, Edinburgh Beer Factory, New Barns, and Pilot. Barnacles & Bones and Ròst are among the street food vendors taking part in the festival. Barney’s Beer boss Andrew Barnett said: “While the cancellation of beer…

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Foraging for rosehips and crab apples helps care homes

EAST Lothian residents are being asked to forage for rosehips and crab apples to help residents in care homes. Tom Chisholm and Rupert Waites, who founded drinks company Buck & Birch, have launched a foraging campaign called “Restoring Vital Connections”. They want people to bring them rosehips and crab apples, which they will make into…

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Fizz Feast organiser unveils ‘Fizz Friday’ online tastings

THE annual Fizz Feast wine and food festival may not be taking place in Edinburgh this autumn but organiser Diana Thompson has created an online “bonanza of bubbles” to take its place. Thompson, who runs Wine Events Scotland, has organised five “Fizz Friday” tastings on video conferencing platform Zoom. They begin on 30 October and…

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Alcohol-free ‘spirits’ up 30%

SALES of alcohol-free “spirits” in the UK are up 30% year-on-year, according to market research firm Neilsen. Shoppers have spent £5.4 million buying 171,000 litres of alcohol-free “spirits” in supermarkets so far this year, analysts said. Many alcohol-free “spirits” use herbs, berries, roots and botanicals to create flavours similar to gin, prompting their use in…

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