Scottish Food Fortnight 2008
6th to 21st September 
Across Scotland. For details of all events and further information please refer to website www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk

SCOTS ARE THE MOST SPONTANEOUS
PICKNICKERS IN THE UK
The Scots are the most spontaneous group of people in the UK when it comes to picnicking. Nearly half (47%) will grab their picnic gear at the first sign of good weather - nearly 10% more than the national average. In a survey of the nation's picnic habits commissioned by British salad producers, eight out of ten people (82%) from Scotland say they picnic at least occasionally; and nearly a quarter (23%) say they like to picnic as often as they can.

A quarter (23%) of respondents say picnics are the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature and - given the beautiful and dramatic locations for picnics in Scotland - it is perhaps unsurprising that 70% say eating outdoors is an adventure. Beaches (28%) are the first choice of spot, with local parks coming a close second (26%,) and a fifth of respondents (20%) preferring peaceful woodlands.

Few (just 3%) Scots believe picnicking is a romantic pursuit but four in ten say that it's a great family occasion with 84% thinking that eating outdoors is an ideal way to spend quality time with children. Two in five (43%) also say that picnics - with the combination of fresh air, a chance to get some exercise and nutritious picnic foods - are a healthier alternative to eating indoors.

Nearly three quarters (73%) of people in Scotland agree that preparing for a picnic is a lot easier nowadays thanks to the wide variety of suitable picnic foods - such as pre-prepared salads and ready-cooked chicken - which are easily available in supermarkets. This means that picnics no longer have to be planned with military precision although 27% of Scots keep their picnic gear easily to hand so they can head out at a moment's notice - perhaps not surprising when 52% say that food tastes better on a picnic!

This sentiment is echoed by celebrity chef, Lesley Waters: "As soon as I see a glimpse of sunshine, I want to be outside eating in the fresh air - food just seems to taste better. I love picnics - it really is a great way to share food and fun in the great outdoors. Salads are ideal picnic food - quick to prepare and are bursting with colour, flavour and texture. Pre-prepared salads are also really easy to transport as they're ready to eat straight from the bag."

Lesley has developed some delicious salad recipes which are ideal for picnics: see www.bringonthesalads.com which also features handy tips on how to make the most of a picnic.

19 March 07
BBC SHOWCASES NORTH HIGHLAND PRODUCTS
The prestigious BBC Radio 4 Food Programme paid a visit recently to Caithness, resulting in a 30 minute broadcast last weekend (March11) applauding the success of the Mey Selections brand and its parent company, North Highland Products.

Sheila Dillon, the presenter of the programme, spent some time in the area visiting, amongst others, Mey Selections beef and lamb producers.

Caithness farmer, Danny Miller, the Chairman of North Highland Products, was asked to explain just what were the benefits of the Mey Selections brand, both to beef and lamb producers and the great discerning British public.

“The quality of our products, all of which emanate from the North Highlands, are consistently high, all of the time. When a consumer in London, Leeds or Oxford buys a Mey Selections product he or she is buying a promise of the North Highlands’ good value,” he explained.

Danny also commented on the benefits to farmers in the area. “North Highland Products was established to gain a premium for farmers and food producers by successful branding. We in the North have all the key attributes necessary for a strong and successful brand and Mey Selections has succeeded in capturing these and firing the imagination of the consumer.”

Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsburys Brand was also interviewed by the BBC and she said that, “Mey Selections provided the quality products that Sainsburys customers were looking for.”   Mey Selections

15 February 07
Scotland's celebration of food & drink begins
Organisers of Scottish Food Fortnight are joining forces with Crimson Edge PR, well known food and lifestyle promoters, to commence with the Scottish food & drink promotional campaign that runs from the 1st - 16th September 2007.

Crimson Edge PR will help host a number of events across Scotland to celebrate Scottish Food Fortnight www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk adding to the campaigns current list of events.

Scottish Food Fortnight was established in 2003 to raise awareness of the quality and variety of food and drink on offer in Scotland, and to change the habits of what we eat and where we buy it. Producers, retailers, restaurateurs, farm shops, farmers' markets and hoteliers across Scotland host events to promote and celebrate Scottish produce.

The campaign boasts Lady Claire Macdonald as one of its patrons and is endorsed by sponsors, Scottish celebrities and chefs, local producers, retailers, restaurateurs, hotels, schools and is supported by the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Food Fortnight 2007 will be held on 1st - 16th September 2007, and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Everyone has a chance to participate and promote Scottish produce in 2007 and to find out how, or to register your interest, send an email to info@scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk
0131 335 0200.
Contact
For more information on Scottish Food Fortnight please contact Ginny Lawson or Jennifer McConachie at Crimson Edge PR.
T: 0131 311 7050 Fax: 0131 311 7051
Email: ginny@crimsonedge.co.uk  or jenny@crimsonedge.co.uk

National Chip Week 2007
12 - 18 February 2007
The chip is making a fight against growing competition from other take-aways.  National Chip Week will see a campaign to remind us to check out chips for nutrition and value.  the new web site contains all sorts of chippy information including data on the amount of chips eaten and many other facts.  Less fat than a Pizza, Chinese or Indian meal is one of the major claims.  With 277 million portions served by 8500 outlets chips have a the major share of the market and are now fighting to keep it.

Cooking Christmas Turkey
Here is a traditional recipe for Christmas Turkey.  If you have cooked one before then you know what to do. For anyone new the main thing to remember is follow exactly the cooking times to ensure a large bird is properly cooked to avoid any danger of salmonella poisoning.  Proper cooking kills any bacteria.

The Caithness Goose Company Bringing Back A Traditional Taste Of The County
Still time to get a traditional Caithness taste on your Christmas or New Year Holiday table.  The Caithness Goose Company has gone back to basics and with modern delivery can get freshly prepared Caithness Goose to any part of the UK overnight.  Caithness the most northerly of the mainland counties, has always been noted for the quality of its grazing stock, and the domestic goose was once one of its principal products, with every farm and croft keeping a small flock...................

BE HEALTHIER FROM THE INSIDE OUT!
Salmon Is Hard To Beat
There’s no end to the number of pills, potions, and faddy diets that claim to have amazing effects on the body. But in reality one of the most efficacious foods with a multitude of health benefits has been right under our noses all the time.  Think of any part of the body and the omega 3 fatty acids in oily fish will improve how it looks, feels or works. For example, just two portions of an oily fish such as salmon will improve the look and feel of your skin and hair, help your brain to work at its optimum level, lubricate your joints, and keep your heart healthy. And that’s just the beginning – oily fish is important for all the family.

Health Living Scotland
This website is to promote Scotland’s national healthy living campaign, launched by the Scottish Executive in January 2003.  It has recipes and ideas for cooking a healthy life.

Turkey Recipes Via Google

Christmas Recipes

Cookin With Google
Take a few ingredients from your cupboard and see what you can cook with them.

Minted Lamb Burgers

From Le Bistro Restaurant, Thurso
Demonstrated at Bower Gala 17 August 2002

Latin American Food Links

Halloween Recipes Link

Some Advice From Kay Wilson
Here is some information regarding the Recipes Section. The U.S. pint is 16 fluid ounces, and not 20 fl.oz like the British Imperial pint.

1 U.S. cup = 8 fl.oz = 250 ml
1 British cup = 10 fl.oz = 300 ml
The teaspoon and tablespoon measurements are the same.
1 teaspoon = 5 ml
1 tablespoon = 15 ml
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
I'm not sure if Canada uses the Imperial or U.S. pint.

Pecan Pie
Helen Wood whose dad was a fireman in Oakland, California sends this pie recipe for you all to try.

Week with Katie Crofter

Cindy's Chocolate Silk Pie
Another very sweet pie and described by Cindy as "a family recipe, a Cardiac Special, but SOOOOOO GOOD you will think you are in heaven."

The next Pie Recipe is already in and its a savoury one so you can now have a choice with  Broccoli & Wensleydale Flan has been sent in by andy anderson and is from his mother's collection of over 40 years ago and probably comes from an early wartime recipe collected for an Athol Crescent Cookery book.  Athol Crescent used to be the place in Edinburgh where students were trained in the arts fo cookery and other skills.

The first recipe in is Cindy's Banana Cream Pie from Cindy Sobrero in California.  Starting with pies following some sassy comments on the message board recently.

Fruit and Vegetables

Worldwide Recipes
Possibly the biggest in the world.  Only samples online as you have to subscribe for a weekly newsletter but if you are into getting surprises and cooking this may be for you.

BBC Food
With links to all the BBC food TV programmes, recipes, ideas and much more

Soups

Cheese Net Absolutely Everything about cheese

Christmas Recipes

Cooking Links 

Ideas

Scottish Recipes

Scottish Christmas Recipes

English Recipes

Irish Recipes

Sweets & Treats

Dieting? - Enjoy It

Cheesy Stuff

Chinese Food

American Recipes

The Pie List

Seafood Recipes

Vegetarian

Kids Recipes & Cooking

Food Related Links Etc

Low Carbohydrate Diets and Information

Healthy Recipes & Links

Mexican Kitchen Vocabulary

Drinks

Sourdough Glossary

The Cook's Thesaurus

Culinary Dictionary for Vegetarians

Glossary of Tropical Foods

Mama's Kitchen For Italian - Ever Heard of Ragu

Latin American Food

Recipe Archives Thousands of recipes at Alta Vista

All Recipes

Recipe Land - A Huge site for recipes

BBC Recipe Search

Food Standards Agency UK

Food and Catering Services

Diets
Atkins
Dieting
Low Carb

Nutrition
Nutrition

General Cooking Sites
Cooks.com
Great site with heaps of recipes and information

Factual Information
European Food Information Council
Lots of information and links to other sites.  Factual information from a reliable source on food safety etc

For Kids
Cool Food Planet

Young People
Food Students

For Health
Healthy Eating Club

Salmon Farm Monitor
Salmon has come in for growing concern by many people due to disease and the chemicals added to control lice and to add colour to the flesh.  Many folk no longer consider it a safe healthy option for their family.