With just days to go, anticipation is building in Dunoon as the town prepares to host its first-ever food and drink festival.
Taking place on 25 and 26 July across Castle Gardens, the adjacent Queen’s Hall and venues throughout the town, Taste Dunoon promises a vibrant weekend celebrating the very best of local produce and culinary talent. The festival will be officially opened by Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, who is set to bring energy and flair to proceedings with a series of live cookery demonstrations.
Maclean, a former MasterChef winner, said: “I’ll be there on 25 July and I’ll be doing some live cookery demonstrations with loads of audience participation, loads of tasters and loads of laughs.”
More than 50 stalls and street vendors will line the festival site, offering everything from artisan cheeses and handcrafted chocolates to cocktails, cakes, rum and rhubarb. This year’s programme also incorporates the second annual Rhubarb Festival at the POP Shop on Hillfoot Street, adding a distinctive local twist.
Festival-goers can expect some inventive takes on the ingredient, with Anselmo’s Fish and Chip Shop serving up deep-fried rhubarb, while GoYo Frozen Yoghurt will offer a rhubarb crumble topping.
Organiser Ciorsdan Fagan of Dunoon Presents said the town is ready to welcome visitors. “We’re almost there and can’t wait to get the festival underway. There are so many creative local businesses taking part that visitors will be spoilt for choice with what’s on offer,” she said.
As part of the weekend, a new Taste Dunoon food and drink trail will launch, funded by Argyll & Bute Council. The trail will feature more than 40 businesses, including speciality food shops, cafés and restaurants across the town.
Alongside the food and drink offering, the festival will showcase a range of cultural and entertainment events. An arts exhibition organised by Cowal Art Network will take place in the pier pavilion, while live music, family entertainment and performances from local Highland dancers are scheduled throughout the weekend.
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A ceilidh at the Argyll Hotel on Saturday evening (5pm to 7pm) is also expected to be a highlight, with tickets priced at £15 and limited availability remaining.
“There’s all manner of associated events being laid on by restaurants and cafés in the town,” added Fagan. “Taste Dunoon really will be a true celebration of the variety of food and drink available in our spectacular corner of Argyll and, we hope, the first of many.”
Taste Dunoon is organised by Dunoon Presents, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID), which delivers a year-round programme of events including the Dunoon 10k Coastal Road Race, Doon the Watter Revival, Dunoon Ultra Marathon, Dunoon Tradfest and the Dunoon Dazzles Winterfest.
