Food Festival

Dundee’s Slessor Gardens, City Square and Waterfront are set to be transformed into a food and drink haven this summer as Dundee Food Festival reveals its first line-up of events.

Organisers, Dundee City Council, will serve up a delicious offering of community-led workshops and events across multiple venues that will see residents and visitors be encouraged to eat, drink, play and think, as they explore the wonders of the city's food, drink and hospitality scene.

Taking place on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7, the two-day festival will see numerous local businesses get involved and activities will pop-up across varying locations.  They include V&A Dundee, Discovery Point, City Square, the Waterfront, Slessor Gardens, fringe events across the city and more.

Activities such as a street food market at V&A Dundee, a local producers showcase with cooking demos at The Keiller Centre with Kitchen Press, Jim’s Delhi, and Lyndsey Kitchen, and herb and flower arrangement workshops run by Verdant Works are a few not to miss events.

The family-friendly weekend will see various free activities for children to enjoy including ScrapAntics and Dundee Science Centre’s playful educational sessions in Slessor Gardens.

The main festival hub will be based at City Square with food stalls, characters on stilts, street performers, live music and more which will keep little ones busy.

For those who enjoy a tipple, The Discovery will be hosting a beer and toastie night with local firms LAW Brewing Co and Strathearn Food Co. on Saturday, July 6 from 5-8pm.

Bakers won’t want to miss the free workshop on Sunday afternoon at 4.30-5.30pm at Braw Tea Cafe in Broughty Ferry with Jeni Iannetta of Bad Girl Bakery, who is originally from Kirkton, Dundee. The well-known Scottish baker owns venues in Muir of Ord and Inverness and is held in high regard by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson who has raved about her bakes and cookbook online.

Social enterprise, The Eden Project, which is bringing Eden to Dundee, has challenged children from local schools to design a sustainable packed lunch.  The children will use knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to create a picnic that they can take to and enjoy at the festival. 

Talks and lectures from local organisations with leading scientists from University of Dundee, James Hutton Institute and Abertay University will leave attendees inspired.  Award-winning chef, Dean Banks from Arbroath, will host a talk and question and answer session on sustainability at one of the city’s newest cocktail bars, Temple Lane.

City Council Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Convener Councillor Steven Rome, said: “I am very encouraged that so much progress is being made to deliver the first Dundee Food Festival.  Excitement will no doubt continue to build in the lead-up to July and I hope that the range of attractions on offer will prove to be popular.”

Sustainability is at the heart of Dundee Food Festival, promoting active travel with partners such as Dundee Cycle Hub providing activities at the Waterfront.

The event is designed to highlight the local larder, encourage community involvement and celebrate the food heroes of the city and surrounding area.  Dundee is abundant in quality food and drink and around 70% of Scotland’s fresh produce is located within 30 miles of the city.

It is also on a journey to become more sustainably conscious and any partners taking part are asked to pledge to the festival’s Sustainability Charter which focuses on food waste, reduction of plastic use, and using more local produce.

City Council Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee Convener Heather Anderson, added: “We are placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and the local reaction so far has been extremely heartening.”

Dundee Food Festival will be a highlight in locals’ and visitors’ calendars and is a great opportunity to eat, drink, play and think.

A range of local businesses will be participating throughout the event, hosting and organising food-focused activities which are yet to be announced.  These events will continue to highlight the importance of supporting local, celebrate Dundee’s food heroes, and bring together the wider community through the medium of food and drink.

The festival has been delivered in collaboration with local partners including the Dundee City Council, Eden Project, V&A Dundee, James Hutton Institute and Eat and Drink Dundee.

For additional information and to find out how to get involved visit www.dundeefoodfestival.com