Three of Edinburgh’s top culinary talents, Mark Greenaway, Paul Wedgwood and Craig Hart, have joined forces with a host of personalities from the city’s thriving eating and drinking scene, to announce Edinburgh Restaurant Festival’s biggest and most mouth-watering programme to date.
Picture: Jon Savage
Over ten days (8-18 October), the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival will offer plenty for food lovers to sink their teeth into with over thirty of the capital’s most-loved restaurants offering irresistible three course lunches for £15 and three course dinners for just £25.
From city favourites, Contini Cannonball, Kyloe, Cucina and Fisher’s in the City to recently launched No.8 Lister Square and Acanthus there is something for every culinary palate.
John Donnelly, Chief Executive of Marketing Edinburgh commented: “Edinburgh’s reputation for food and drink is second to none, from Michelin star establishments, to pop up dining and high-end street food. The Edinburgh Restaurant Festival gives us an opportunity to go to town and celebrate this variety and diversity, as well as showcasing the quality experiences on offer.
“With more restaurants per head of population than anywhere else in the UK, there is a lot to choose from, so the carefully curated event programme and affordable set menus give foodies a chance to sample the wares of a whole host of top restaurants, while meeting some of the people and chefs working hard behind the scenes.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh commented: “Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is a great opportunity for the city’s best loved restaurants and bars to come together and celebrate all the fantastic food that’s on our doorstep.
"Whether you want to pick up some locally sourced produce at the Markets or eat out for under £30, with over 30 different restaurants to choose from the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is the perfect opportunity to try something new."
The jam-packed programme of gastronomic events will see appetites rocket, as the city comes to life with food demonstrations, street food offerings and live entertainment.
Below is just a flavour of the must-do events in this year’s programme:
Chefs’ Table
(Thursday 8th October, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE)
The sparkling opener for Edinburgh Restaurant Festival will see three of Edinburgh’s top chefs – Paul Wedgwood, Craig Hart (head chef at One Square at The Sheraton) and Mark Greenaway - collaborate on a unique menu showcasing their personal flair in each dish and the finest Scottish, local ingredients. For only £25 a ticket, guests will have the one-off chance to meet the award-winning chefs and quiz them once they’ve enjoyed their mouthwatering creations.
Grassmarket Fun Foodie Day
(Saturday 10th October, Grassmarket, Edinburgh)
The Grassmarket will host a FREE family friendly day of entertainment including their very own Pizza Bar, where kids have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at making their own signature pizzas….from stretching and tossing the dough to selecting their own toppings, they will take away top tips on how to make pizza as good as the Italians do.
Movies & Shakers
(Tuesday 13th October, 6.30pm, The Forth Floor Restaurant at Harvey Nichols, 30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh)
Film buffs are in for a treat as Harvey Nichols is hosting a micro cinema in its Forth Floor Restaurant for one night only. And, what better film to whet the tastebuds than Chocolat? After a two course meal, guests will enjoy a sweet accompaniment to the movie, along with two movie inspired cocktails each. Tickets are priced at £40 for dinner, cocktails and the movie.
Fallen Brewery Craft Beer and Food Matching Dinner
(Thursday 15th October, 7pm, Gait Craft Beer Bar & Kitchen, 232 Canongate, Edinburgh)
In recent years, local breweries and craft ales have become increasingly popular as foodies grow more sophisticated in their tastes and look for something different to their standard pint down the local. Now you can impress dinner guests by learning how to pair beer with your food. Tickets are priced at £40 and the event is strictly over 18s only.
Edinburgh Street Feastival
(16-18th October 2015, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh)
Not to be missed, this exciting pop-up experience curated by OffKiltr will see a carefully hand-picked selection of local restaurants apply their culinary style and skills to present street food style dishes. While tucking into something tasty, all for just £5 per dish, guests can soak up the atmosphere, all set to an eclectic soundtrack delivered by some of the finest local DJs, from laid back soul and jazz to disco and house.
In the lead up and during the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival, This is Edinburgh will be running a social competition encouraging locals to share their favourite meal out in the capital. All entries using #EatOutEdin on Twitter and Instagram will be automatically entered into a prize draw every week to win foodie vouchers, lunch or dinner, as well as appearing in a live online gallery on ThisisEdinburgh.com.
For all the latest updates and daily inspiration on things to see and do during the festival follow @edinburgh #edrestaurantfest
• The full event programme and list of participating restaurants can be viewed at www.thisisedinburgh.com
