Food enthusiasts in Aberdeenshire are eagerly anticipating a delightful culinary adventure as the region gears up for its first-ever Restaurant Week, scheduled from 4 to 10 November.
A total of forty restaurants, cafés, and hotels have already signed up for this festival, organised by Aberdeenshire Council’s Economic Development Service.
The council has partnered with various organisations, including local business groups, VisitAberdeenshire, Scotland Food & Drink, and the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, to encourage participation and raise awareness among consumers.
Food festivals like this have proven successful nationwide, and this event aims to showcase the diverse dining options available in Aberdeenshire.
In light of ongoing challenges such as supply chain costs and the cost-of-living crisis, Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week is expected to provide a significant boost to the local hospitality sector, attracting new customers during a typically slower season.
Diners can look forward to a range of special offers on food and drinks, promoting value and quality while highlighting the region’s culinary offerings.
Participating venues will present unique promotions catering to various tastes and budgets.
Notable among them is the award-winning Falls of Feugh Restaurant in Banchory, which helped launch this initiative alongside Aberdeenshire Council leaders.
Council leaders emphasise the importance of this event not only for local businesses but also for enhancing community engagement through unique dining experiences that cannot be replicated online.
Cllr Owen said: “I’m really excited to be at the launch of the first-ever Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week and I want to encourage local people and visitors alike to support all the participating businesses and sample the tremendous range of menus and rich dining experiences the region has to offer.
“The North East hospitality and food and drink sectors are incredibly important to our economy and we must continue to do everything we can to engage existing and new customers for our businesses.”
Cllr Isobel Davidson, vice-chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, added: “It’s great to see so many restaurants signing up to our inaugural Restaurant Week.
“The excellent range of offers across the region and the range of menus will ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.
“The hospitality industry is vitally important, not only for our home market but also for our growing national and international tourism offering.
“Thanks to our traditional industries of farming and fishing an abundance of quality local produce is available to help the sector set a benchmark for hospitality in Aberdeenshire.”
John Chomba, chef patron of the Falls of Feugh Restaurant, said: “We are delighted to be part of Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers to sample our special offers and wider menu and enjoy the friendly atmosphere here in Banchory.
“November can traditionally be a fairly quiet time for the hospitality sector before the hugely busy festive period, so this is a great way to boost business for us all and showcase what we can all offer all year-round.”
You can check out all the restaurant offers at www.aberdeenshirerestaurantweek.com or follow our social media channels by searching for Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week on Facebook or Instagram.
It’s not too late to register a business for Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week – email restaurantweek@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
