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

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  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