PICTURES: Record turnout of over 2100 for Taste North food and drink festival
Organisers of Taste North are already looking ahead to their 10th anniversary event next year after the 2024 festival attracted a record turnout at the weekend.
More than 2100 visitors attended the far north’s annual celebration of food and drink at Wick High School on Sunday, with celebrity chef Tony Singh MBE praising the quality of local produce and the “phenomenal” hospitality.
Tony – who was born and raised in Leith is known for his unique fusion of Scottish and Asian flavours – was starring at Taste North for the second time, having first been special guest at the 2018 event in John O’Groats.
The 53-year-old said: “It is six years since I’ve been at Taste North and it has been fantastic.
“The hospitality is just phenomenal. The people, food, ingredients, producers, distilleries and breweries go from strength to strength. I love the local produce.
“I recommend coming up – it’s a great part of the world.”
The school’s studio space was packed for two cookery demonstrations in which Tony created lamb and haddock dishes. The chef was supported by cookery student Harris Turnbull, who is in the second year of his course at UHI North, West and Hebrides and works at the Castletown Hotel.
The demonstrations were compered by Venture North director Andrew Mackay, from the Caithness Collection of hotels. The audience asked a variety of questions about ingredients and cooking tips while Tony was cooking – and many were able to enjoy a taste afterwards.
Local products from Caithness Summer Fruits, Hellsmouth Rum Company, North Point Distillery and Ice and Fire Distillery featured in a cocktail masterclass provided by Simon Collier from Mr C’s in Thurso.
The event was organised by Venture North, the destination management organisation for Caithness and Sutherland, with 56 exhibitors present. It expanded into the adjacent Newton Park Primary School gym to ensure all the stall-holders could be accommodated.
Exhibitor numbers increased by a third on 2023, including new businesses from Orkney and Kinross as well as different parts of the north Highlands.
Ruth Falconer from Wick-based Caithness Chocolate, who has attended every Taste North since the first one in 2015, said: “It was a fantastic day that showcased amazing businesses from across the Highlands.
“I really enjoyed catching up with customers and other traders. It’s a brilliant event that has become a highlight of the year.”
New exhibitor Howard Tolliday, from Struie Hill Preserves, Ardgay, said: “It has been a brilliant event with brilliant people. It has been lovely meeting all the locals here and I’d love to come again next year.”
Some of the longest queues could be seen at the Cakes & Bakes at Comlifoot stand. The Halkirk business was one of a number of award-winning producers from around Caithness and Sutherland taking part.
The Taste North Challenge baking competition had a new commercial operator category this year. The challenge was sponsored by Developing the Young Workforce North Highland and Mackays Hotel, Wick.
The open winner was Rachel Paterson, who made mini marmalade Battenbergs using three-fruit marmalade, accompanied by a Paddington model.
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The 15-and-under prize went to Robyn Speirs, who made a blackcurrant lime pistachio cake using homegrown blackcurrants and local eggs.
Commercial winner was Emma Gordon, from Bonbon Bakery, with a spiced rum carrot cake using Ice and Fire Caithness Raiders Dark Spiced Rum.
Cathy Earnshaw, Venture North’s destination strategy manager, said: “Taste North 2024 was packed and buzzing. There is enormous support locally and our increased footfall shows that there is a real appetite for our local larder and crafters, and to experience some of the best food and drink in the north of Scotland.
“Having Tony Singh as our head judge at the Taste North Challenge, in addition to his engaging demos, was the icing on the cake.
“Many people help make Taste North a success, so hearing lots of positive feedback from attendees and exhibitors spurs us on to celebrate our 10th anniversary in style next year.”
Last year’s Taste North achieved recognition as a finalist in the 2024 Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards in the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival category and attracted more than 1700 visitors.
Taste North 2024 was free to attend. Funding and sponsorship came from RWE Camster Wind Farm Community Fund, Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund (Latheron, Lybster and Clyth), all administered by Foundation Scotland, NRS Dounreay, Developing the Young Workforce North Highland, Dunrobin Castle, and Mackays Hotel Wick. Taste North is managed by Venture North.
