Perthshire’s chefs, farmers and food producers have joined forces to ensure visitors to this month’s Rewind Festival at Scone Palace will get a real taste of quality local produce.
Jim Fairlie at Logiealmond, Jamesfield Organic Centre and Thomas Thomson (Blairgowrie) Ltd will be among the producers joining Perthshire Farmers and Producers to serve an expected crowd of 15,000.
The group was set up by Mr Fairlie and his wife Anne McGhee two years ago to tap into the market for quality Perthshire produce at events across the area.
Mr Fairlie said, “Having attended a number of events in the area over recent years, Anne and I noticed that there was a real gap in the market for catering which offered fresh, local produce to visitor.
“All too often, the food on offer was of poor quality and based on produce brought in from outside Perthshire.
“We were frankly astonished that so many event organisers were not making the most of the rich larder available right here on our doorstep.”
He added, “It’s a win-win situation, really. Visitors to events go away more satisfied and at the same time we’re able to provide a platform for local farmers and producers to showcase their products to a much wider audience.”
They have already achieved significant success, attending T in the Park for the first time last year, followed by the Etape Caledonia in Highland Perthshire. This year, in addition to Rewind, they are returning to T in the Park and attending the Rally of Scotland at Scone Palace in October.
In preparation for Rewind, the couple are hard at work with chef Graeme Pallister, of 63 Tay Street in Perth, to develop an innovative menu for visitors to the three-day festival.
Scone Palace administrator Elspeth Bruce said, “Research has shown that for many visitors culinary tourism is an integral part of their travel experience and that there is increasing demand from visitors to sample distinctive local food and to taste traditional cooking.
“We are therefore really delighted that Perthshire produce will be showcased in such a great way at Rewind and that produce grown and reared on our own estate will feature so prominently on the menu.”