Tesco event named Scotland's top food festival

Tesco Enjoy the Taste of Scotland Food Festival has been crowned Scotland’s largest food and drink festival after figures showed more than 21,000 people attended the event last weekend at George Square, Glasgow.

Thousands turned up not only to sample the finest Scottish food and drink from more than 100 suppliers but to see chefs like Nick Nairn, Scotland’s only two-star Michelin chef Andrew Fairlie and BBC 2’s Great British Menu finalist Tom Kitchin, along with many others, show off their cooking skills.

The event attracted 4,000 more attendees than last year’s BBC Good Food Show.

But the event had a giving side as well with Tesco Charity of the Year Marie Curie, Yorkhill Sick Kids Hospital and St John’s Hospice all receiving funds or items from the event.

The fundraising came from Tesco, the generosity of the Scottish public as well as individual suppliers, including Whyte and Mackay and Allied Bakeries.

Thousands of pounds was raised and Yorkhill Hospital received two large fresh-baked cakes from Tunnocks and more than 200 daffodills from Grampian Growers.

A spokesman for Allied said: “The opportunity of meeting so many Kingsmill, Burgen and Allinson consumers over the weekend was fantastic.

“We raised a total of £1000 for Marie Curie from the donations of our consumers who sampled our range of bread and rolls - including the new Kingsmill Gold Seeds & Oats Soft and Crunchy & Kingsmill Gold Seeds & Oats Wholesome & Nutty.”

Iain Hinks, Senior National Account Manager, Whyte & Mackay added: “Whyte & Mackay are delighted to support the fantastic work done by Marie Curie that benefit people across the country.”

Tesco's Scottish Marketing Manager Angus Bell said: "Scots embraced Enjoy the Taste of Scotland this year with a passion and it's fantastic to find out that we are now the country's top food and drink show.

"We were delighted that so many also used the weekend to raise money for local charities including Marie Curie, Tesco's Charity of the Year. It really demonstrates the close-knit community we have within the Scottish food and drinks industry."