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Join us at the Foodies Festival Christmas Event

Food Festival Christmas

Retro recipes in the Chefs Theatre, vegan treats in the Artisan Christmas Market, Champagne Ski Bar and a Scottish Gin Theatre are just some of the festive features food-lovers can look forward to as Foodies Festival brings its winter edition – Foodies Festival Christmas – to Edinburgh’s EICC 13-15th November.

Food Festival Edinburgh Christmas

Chef Demo

Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre will be transformed into a spectacular culinary wonderland, 13-15th November, as Foodies Festival Christmas brings Scotland’s top chefs, award-winning artisan producers and international street food together under one roof for a fabulous festive feast.

Acclaimed chefs from across Scotland will swap their aprons for Santa hats in the Aga Rangemaster Chefs Theatre, sharing their favourite recipes and top tips to help visitors create the perfect Christmas banquet. So far, confirmed chefs include:

  • Jamie Scott – MasterChef: The Professionals Winner 2015
  • Jacqueline O’Donnell – Great British Menu Regional Champion
  • Ping Coombes – MasterChef Winner 2014
  • Neil Forbes – Cafe St Honore
  • Fraser Allan – The Pompadour by Galvin
  • Mark Greenaway – Restaurant Mark Greenaway
  • Stuart Ralston – Aizle
  • Paul Wedgwood – Wedgwoods
Neil Forbes, Cafe St Honore

Neil Forbes, Cafe St Honore

Retro Recipes in the Chefs Theatre will transport festival-goers back in time to the 1960s when green piped potato, glacé cherries and multi-coloured cheese and jellies were all the rage. Inspired by infamous TV chef Fanny Cradock, several chefs will recreate classic recipes such as the Prawn Cocktail, Baked Alaska, Sherry Trifle, Chicken Kiev, Vol-au-vents and Duck a l’Orange in their own signature style.

An Artisan Christmas Market boasts over 150 of Scotland’s finest producers selling locally produced cheeses, chutneys, chocolates, sauces and jams, biscuits and crackers, cakes, puddings and more for visitors to sample and shop from; perfect for picking up those little extras that make Christmas extra tasty and special.

A Vegan area in the Christmas Market offers a range of delicious and healthy vegan, veggie and gluten-free treats for visitors to indulge in including desserts, street food, bakes, condiments, beers, wines and more.

Scottish Gin Theatre – Gin lovers will rejoice as Edinburgh’s gin producers, Daffy’s, Pickering’s and Edinburgh Gin, host daily Christmas Gin Cocktail masterclasses. Wine experts Charles Metcalfe and Neil Philips are also on-hand helping visitors match wines with Christmas flavours in the Drinks Theatre and beer expert Melissa Cole champions craft beers as an alternative to wine and champagne this Christmas in masterclasses with local brewers.

Other features of the festival include a Street Food Village where visitors can feast of flavours from around the world, a Cake & Bake Theatre hosted by Scotland’s top bakers, chocolatiers and GBBO contestants and an accompanying Pudding Hall – a haven of sweet treats selling festive favourites such as eggnog and mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas cakes, marzipan bonbons and macaroons.

While parents shop and enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly from the Champagne Ski Bar, children under 12 can enrol in the Elf Cookery School with Kiddy Cook, where they can bake and decorate snowballs, gingerbread men, cookies and cupcakes to leave out for Santa.

Just like Christmas day there is lots of post-feasting fun to be had with live music, local choirs singing carols and entertainment throughout the day. Visitors can enter the Chilly-Eating Competition (the winter version of the famous chilli contest), register their team to compete in the Christmas Bumper Quiz and have a group Christmas jumper picture taken in the photo booth.

Foods Festival Christmas 2015

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111

Friday adult day ticket £13.00 (£11.00 concession)

Saturday or Sunday adult day ticket £15.00 (£13.00 concession)

3-day adult ticket £20.00 (£16.00 concession)

Friday VIP ticket £35.00

Saturday or Sunday VIP ticket £38.00

VIP tickets include a welcome glass of bubbly, access to the VIP lounge with private bar and refreshments throughout the day, priority entry to food and drink masterclasses, a festive goody bag and a show guide.

All children aged 12 and under go free to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult.

Open times:

Friday 13th November: 5pm – 9pm

Saturday 14th November: 10am – 6pm

Sunday 15th November: 10am – 5pm

Stay tuned for competitions and more on the blog, and of course, keep updated on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

You’ll need a fabulous home from home to come back to after all the amazing food sampling and inspirations cooking demonstrations. Dickins has self catering apartments all over Edinburgh – in all the places you want to be!

Search our properties and find your perfect home from home!

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