Everybody loves a picnic and the Great Perthshire Picnic, which runs through September, is a feast of local produce and home-grown talent.
The inaugural Picnic is a celebration of the best food and drink the region has to offer, and local businesses cooking up a storm with loads of events – from street food and bread-making to fish-tasting – scheduled over the month.
The event is the brainchild of Perth’s leading social enterprise, Giraffe Trading, who will be getting right into the thick of the Picnic activities by hosting a Scottish tapas evening in their Perth café.
Gareth Ruddock, Giraffe Trading CEO, is leading the project and says he’s been overwhelmed by the level of support the idea has received locally: “Perth and Kinross is rightly famed for its food and drink producers,” he enthuses.
“We have award-winning restaurateurs, chocolatiers, distilleries, breweries and produce right on our doorstep, so an event to celebrate this has a huge amount of talent to draw on locally.”
Courier chef Graeme Pallister of 63 Tay Street will be celebrating Local, Honest & Simple with a special seasonal menu at the restaurant September 20-24.
“The Great Perthshire Picnic is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved with Perthshire’s food and drink and to highlight to the public why our produce is nationally renowned,” he says.
Support is also coming from around the region, with street food being served at an outdoor performance of The Taming of the Shrew by The Handlebarettes in Coupar Angus; Chilli, Garlic & Ginger Tasting at Glendoick Garden Centre, a tour of the Hugh Grierson Organic’s operation at Newmiln Farm, Methven; Excel Wines of Perth are holding a Perthshire whisky tasting, and the Taymouth Courtyard in Kenmore is holding a pop-up market. And that’s to name but a few!
Organising food and drink events is not Giraffe Trading’s bread and butter. But, for anyone questioning why a social enterprise would be taking on an event of this size, Gareth is quick to offer an explanation: “As a social enterprise which concentrates on helping people with barriers to the workplace we are always looking for new ways to engage with local employers.
“The Great Perthshire Picnic has given us a reason to meet with and talk to a much broader range of potential employers than we would in our normal business.
“It also gives them a chance to find out more about what we do, and the value that one of our job seekers could bring to their workplace,” he continues.
“Food and drink was the obvious link for us, because we are already involved in producing fresh food from our Perth sites, giving opportunities for people to gain experience in the catering and retail industries to prepare them to move into employment.”
Sarah Bradley, employment co-ordinator with Giraffe, is excited by the event’s dual purpose. “Not only does it give us the chance to raise the profile of the charity but it’s also wonderful to showcase Perthshire’s fantastic produce,” she smiles.
“We’re really chuffed at the number of producers who are taking part all over Perthshire and beyond, and including many rural areas. We’re hoping that in years to come the Picnic will grow even bigger and better.
“My message to Courier readers is to support your local events, discover businesses you didn’t even know existed and help us celebrate Perthshire’s wonderful produce.”
The Great Perthshire Picnic takes place at venues across Perthshire and beyond until September 30. For more information visit www.greatperthshirepicnic.uk
