The Edinburgh Festival for foodies

The world’s biggest arts festival is nearly upon us and this year there’s definitely more than creative juices flowing: visitors to the festival will find their lips watering at over 40 food-orientated offerings on the programme.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has blended an eclectic mix of tasty morsels from chocolate-tasting murder mysteries and Pot Noodle The Musical to plays based in the world of the celebrity chef and a Japanese tea ceremony. At the Edinburgh International Book Festival, there are explorations into the politics of food, Steven Berkoff’s recollections of his food experiences round the world and whisky tastings to wash it all down. Even Edinburgh Art Festival has thrown something into the melting pot with art created using cookery utensils.

There’s even a special Foodies at the Festival event featuring Edinburgh’s three Michelin-starred chefs and ten other top Scottish favourites, not to mention an opportunity for visitors to get their teeth into local Scottish produce from the 70 stands there.

Festival veteran, food lover and broadcaster, Hardeep Singh Kohli is performing at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival and talking about his experiences cooking up traditional British dishes as he tours India. He’s given his top recommendations for eating out in Edinburgh; from fish suppers on Gorgie Road, Tony Singh’s Indian-Scottish cuisine and legendary delicatessen, Valvona & Crolla.

“When in Edinburgh I'm always astonished at the number of great places to eat. I'm a big fan of Valvona & Crolla, partly because I love their food and partly because I went to University with Carla Crolla who was very, very beautiful! I love Tony Singh's approach to food and so I rarely come to the city without dining at Oloroso or Roti. This year I intend to eat at least one meal at Martin Wishart's, which is tricky considering his popularity. Edinburgh has it all, from Michelin-starred fine dining to really good fish suppers on Gorgie Road. And everything in between.”

For more information about food events and festivals in Scotland, as well as food trails and over 600 restaurants, visit Eatscotland.com.