Ayrshire September sunshine & weekend festivities bring authentic local food and drink into focus

   Last   weekend    several  AFN   members were providing  excellent food and drink    at the Stranraer Oyster  festival , including #ADRattray;# Everything  Chilli; #Cedar Country Foods  whilst   a food demonstrations  was   given  by  #DavidAlexander from #Glenapp

 An estimated 17000  visitors  enjoyed the   exciting   festival   ....  certainly   a  excellent  showcase  for  south  west Scotland

#Glenapp Castle have   released  very recently  their latest  video    featuring   the amazing   #SeaSafari   experience

 Other   good news  includes  #LittleTurnberry  being awarded #Biosphere  certified  producer     status .warmest congratulations

#GCGrowers    is running     aan innovative     vegetable    education scheme,    and  the #TheHomeCookSchool   is expanding  their  community  cooking    initiatives

#AyrshireHampers has opened  in the last  two weeks  their   innovative    new  venue  and offerings   at #Kilmarnock  Railway  station.  including  having  produce   from #ThreepwoodFayre    and #BallochmyleFineCheese

 All   three  are   heading   for  #Newmilns  food  festival  this saturday 21st  september   along   with 50 other producers /providers and hosts   including  #Ayrshirefoodfromayrshirefolk;#Everythingchilli ;#rhonecottage ;#limetreelarder;#scotchandco;#mossgeil;#cedarcountyfoods

 It is going to be   a very  busy  weekend especially with  the #AyrGoldCup  horse race  meeting     bringing many visitors  to the area.

 Hopefully#DunlopDairy  will  benefit  from the hospitality  offerings,  and #Bhailebakery   will  see  increased  visitors  in their 4 outlets  aswell as  greater product usage   for #ramstanesfarm &#CorrieMains as partners,  #WAEgrant   meeting  vegetable   and fruit demand ,  and the #Ayrshire farmersmarket in #kilmarnock   plus  #Pieronis  & #Fencebay  with  their  exciting  wide ranges of seafood ;  The  attractive #Thelairdstable  in #Fenwick  now  has  their  innovative   high walkway  as an additional attraction

looking into October    good luck  to #Woodysicecream  in their  #ACCI   business awards quest  whilst  on the  24th   september #CorneyandBarrow hold  their themed dinner   at #Mcfarlanes

For our     members  such as #TheCooshed  and #Auchengree  farm shop  plus  associates   at #ABBA , providing  hospitality     and accommodation  may you have  a very productive & busy  weekend in the sunshine. Our  exclusive   use   venues   at#Hillhouse    and #EnochLodge  will  without  doubt  be  providing   exemplary   service  to  their   discerning   clients ...also the  exceptional  Michelin Star  restaurant  #Braidwoods

wishing  all   visitors    to #Ayrshire   a very   warm  and  authentic  welcome

Ballantraefood and drink festival brings out the best of Ayrshire 8th /9th june

 45   local   producers   including #Dunlop Dairy ;#Rhone  Cottage ;  #theCooshed ;#GlenappCastle ; #CedarCottage ;#Threepwoodfayre   ;#Ballochmylebrie; plus#Everythingchilli  ;#CorrieMains   free range eggs ;#Thehomecookschool  :#slowfood:#Ayrshirehampers;#Adrattraywhisky;#Ayrbrewing ;Ayrshire hampers  all   at

https://www.ballantraefoodfestival.com

with stunning   coastline setting  .    kite flying .  foraging .  street food .  excellent gins and whiskies . slow  food ..  scottish   food guide .Wendy barrie. Lindsay Guidi  @howardfarm

today  11.00-17.00     free   bus    routes   ...  see  web site   for details 

Summer time brings out the best in Ayrshire Food Network community food tourism offerings

It     may  still    be cool    temperature   wise , but with the   clocks going forward  tonight , Mothers' Day  and   Summer    Time  are upon us .... so our    colleagues   at #ABBA    are hoping  to be be busy  with Easter   almost  here 

#Little  Turnberry   Farm    are   opening again  for the season  with   their amazing   baking  and   local produce  including  #Mossgeil   milk    available  to order

#Bhaile Artisan  Bakery   are offering  increasingly     diverse   flavoursome  produce   through their  three    outlets , including   customer   suggested    weekend     offerings , using  exciting  ingredients  including #CorrieMains  eggs

They together   with   the  #TheCooShed   were   recent finalists   in the Scottish Rural Awards ,at which #Mossgeil   won   the best    Agricultural    business  award ..Sincere congratulations    to all  three

#Lime Tree  Larder    are running    very  enjoyable  chocolate  making  classes  for both  children   and adults ..(what an Easter   present )!  Afterwards  why
 not  drop in   for a  good meal offering   at #Auchengree  farm   restaurant   and shop

#Glenapp   Castle    continues   its    very high standards  with   lunches , dinners   a specialist  afternoon teas     (  a  real treat   for   you and your friends  and family )

#Ayrshire   Hampers  under new ownership     will be attending the  next  #Fenwick  food and craft fair ...wishing   them all the best  with   their    collaborations  and   workings including   with # Threepwood Fayre

#The  Lairds  Table   in  Fenwick   is attracting  many families   to its  stunning lochside  venue,  where guests can enjoy   creative   dishes   using  local ingredients    including  #Everythingchilli    products    made   in   the village

#Dunlop Dairy    cheese  farm   and tearoom    are     providing   wonderful   hospitality  plus   the delights of being  surrounded by new born   goats' kids !!

#Ayrshire   farmers'market    cooperative  events in  #Ayr   and  #Kilmarnock      are good places    to find   the full range  of outstanding    meat    products   from #Cedar    Country Foods

#Ayrshire Market   Fresh    artisan   food  deliveries, established   by  #Rhone   Cottage   are  working   with  #Fencebay, #Dalduff ,#GCGrowers   and 8 other     local suppliers     to bring you    an excellent  click  and    deliver     online  home    service    offering    It  is .well  worth   giving it    a try with     deliveries   throughout   Ayrshire   on     a  Thursday

Interesting   developments  at #Ramstanes....watch   this space !

 A very    exciting   development   about to start  is    the   series  of   free  community cooking classes    being  run   by #TheHome   Cook School.... the first  of   these    will  start  in  Minishant

 Two   future  dates  .. April   30th    interegional   food  groups conference   in Dumfermline

 Lindsay  Guidi with be   representing  AFN    talking about    her   Connect Local   funded  Cook    Ayrshire  project... contact  the author for more details    and   booking  arrangements

June  8th  /9th     sees  the      award  winning   Ballantrae  Food and  Drink   festival  return   including     specialist  #The  whisky   ( and gin !)  Experience

.................. wishing  everyone   a successful     trading   period  in the run up  to Easter

Meanwhile  we will  be represented   on  the  10th /11th  April   at #Visit Scotland   Tourism  Scotand    sharing  with  global   trade  visitors   the  excellence of   Ayrshire   as " Scotland's authentic  food tourism    destination"

innovative food and drink service developments in Ayrshire bring rewards

 Autumn  is   normally  the time  of year  of award nominations & announcements..

this season  has seen  a spate  of  activity with AFN members

The #Scottish  Land and Estates  and #Sepa awards    have seen #Mossgeil  and #Craufurdland    recognised   in the    finals

The Regional  finals  of the Thistle  awards  have   seen  Discover  Ayrshire  (#Glenapp   Castle );  #Trump Turnberry , #The  Whisky   Experience   and others ) recognised  .... good  luck

The  ACCI    business   awards  dinner   event   on friday  12th  October sees #Bhaile craft  bakery ; # Home Cook  School ; and #The Cooshed   competing  with others  for the Food and drink award .... tough competition indeed .... you are all winners!!!

 #Bhaile  has  already  picked  up  a   Scotland  wide    business   start up award  this  month -- warmest  congratulations

....................................
  the   innovative #Ayrshire Fresh Market Place  service  is   building   serious   momentum  with   their online sales, secure payment and home  delivery service    involving   a  collaboration among  10  local   producers .....great stuff
check it out at https://www.ayrshiremarketfresh.co.uk  and try it for yourselves


............ good luck  to all who will be  trading  " outside "  this weekend   including   the #Scottish   boat  show at Inverkip   hopefully  you will  find  ways  to  overcome the  weather .

thanks

food festivals , farmers' market and foodmarket this weekend 15-16thseptember

This   is the big weekend  with  #Newmilns  food and drink  festival ;#Stranraer Oyster festival ;#Kilmarnock  farmers' market and #Dumfries  House  Food Maket  all  on.

we are spoilt for choice  with   100+  Scottish   producers  and stallholders  in action  with several  multi tasking   location  & venue wise...

Add  to that the street food ,cookery  & drink  demonstrations   and  tasting  opportunities    and the scene is set  for  a great  weekend   of authentic  food  experiences  here in South west Scotland

 have  a great time and support  Scottish Food  Tourism   and the  broader  local food and drink economy   

busy weekend for AFN members

There is much going on this weekend  with the food and drink festival at # NTS  Burns   Alloway on  Saturday   and Sunday   25TH  26TH  with  at  least  8 members  present including @everythingchilli , and  cookery demonstrations  organised    by  the #homecookschool with  the#whiskyexperience   and #littleturnberry

 the special  artisan  food fair  at Largs   on saturday ; and # Fencebay  farmers   market on Sunday

#Bhaile   artisan bakery    are     continuing their" soft launch "  at their   new premises  in  Troon

and #Little  Turnberry   continue   to delight  their visitors with    amazing    hand made cakes   and local produce   with  beautiful  eggs  available 24/7!

also  https://www.ayrshiremarketfresh.co.uk
is fully up and running for local food deliveries  each thursday ... currently working with  5 members ....give  it  a try. Congratulations to #RhoneCottage  for getting this exciting   venture  up and running

 congratulations  to  #the Cooshed  and  #Bhaile for being shortlisted   for the Ayshire Chamber of Commerce  Food and  drink business awards

hopefully  the   bank holiday weekend   will bring   many more visitors  to  the new ,very successful  #Woodies ice cream   parlour   in Mauchline  and  the very special  #theLairds Table  in Fenwick

good luck  to #Mossgeil  in the final planning   /delivery  stages of introducing   glass   bottles    and  reusable    containers   for their   amazing   non homogenised  milk

 best wishes  to  all our other  busy producers  and  hospitality providers who together   create  such    an authentic food tourism experience  here in Ayrshire

use #The List  Ayrshire  larder  food map   to find many of them.....enjoy a picnic   whilst we still can ,weather wise .

regards   Howard

early spring update and good wishes to AFN members and customers

Whilst  there  may still  be  snow   on the ground  with  Snow  drops   blooming ,    AFN  members  are  working hard   to build  new   links , introduce  innovations and  create  good customer   experiences

 Firstly , a very warm welcome to both  the  Home  Cook School  and  The CooShed  at South  Corton farm  as our newest  members..

(see the  Members  &  Gallery  pages   for details  , images  and links..)

Mossgeil continues   to build   their  excellent  non homogenised   milk supply   arrangements and   Networks..

West  Coast   Foods   have introduced   some  very smart  display   technology  in their  premises .

 Grants  of Prestwick  are  mindful of  the  current  date  and  Valentine's  themes  in their retail  areas.. with  a great display 

 Auchengree   have  their first steak  night  of the year  this  week...  do get across to  enjoy the  experience

 Bhaile   artisan   bakery    continue to innovate  with    bakery master   classes  and  pop up art shows

 The Ayrshire  farmers'   market  cooperative  are fully back  into the swing  of their  regular farmers markets, working round the weather!

 The   dates  of the excellent  Ballantrae  Food festival have been   confirmed   as the  9th  /10th of June

 The full  2018 schedule   of the   Dumfries  House   Food    Fairs  has just been confirmed by Rhone  Cottage..

Corrie   Mains   have  been recognised   for their  long   standing   &  ongoing  work  supplying   their  award  winning   free range  eggs to the  educational  /schools sector

 For  all those of our members /associates   building    business  opportunities and  memorable  customer  experiences  around  February    14th   thanks ...Enjoy   and good luck!

Ayrshire  Hampers   and  others  are at the Ayrshire  Food and  Craft event   on the 25th Feb in Fenwick

 NB To  confirm  also  we are now  " amplifying "  Facebook events   of   members   , so please notify us ..
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 Also   to   advise   everyone  the Ayrshire  Food Network  will be  present  at  the Scotland   Food  and Drink  regional food group event    next week ...Open feedback  will be provided .

  wishing  everyone   successful    early   Spring  trading