Rhubarb, a plant that is fast becoming synonymous with Dunoon thanks to the efforts of the POP Shop on Hillfoot Street in the town, will be playing a key role in the forthcoming, first ever Taste Dunoon food and drinks festival (July 25 and 26).
The two-day festival, due to be opened on Saturday 25 July by Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean, will encompass the Dunoon Rhubarb Festival which takes place along Hillfoot Street on the Saturday.
The event will include a number of rhubarb competitions, talks, garden tours and tastings located at the POP Shop, the Dunoon Goes POP drinks garden and at other venues on Hillfoot Street.
Organised by Dunoon Goes POP, the rhubarb competition categories include the biggest stalk, best chutney and jam and the intriguingly titled “best rhubarb showstopper”.
The POP Shop’s Hannah Clinch commented: “We are excited to be playing our part in the town’s inaugural food and drinks festival and our involvement will be a celebration of all things rhubarb!
“We hope that our free-to-enter competitions will give bakers and makers from across the community the chance to get involved and build on the success of last year’s first ever Dunoon Rhubarb Festival.
“Last year we had some fantastic entries including a mouthwatering rhubarb cake baked by Glendaruel-based Planted by Sai and delicious rhubarb jams and ice cream made by the Coorie Cooks as well as a BBQ rhubarb sauce devised by the former owner of the Local Hero Café.
“It’s a plant that’s native to Siberia and Mongolia and spread around the globe through trade routes. It thrives within cold climates making it a perfect fit for Dunoon!
“We’re delighted that businesses along Hillfoot Street, including the The Dunoon Framer and Argyll Vintners are joining in, adding to Taste Dunoon’s vibrant festival programme,” added Hannah.
The wider festival, organised by Dunoon Presents, will include a marquee on the seafront that will host producer stalls with street food vendors outside. The Queen’s Hall will host live cooking demonstrations as well as talks and tastings. In addition, there will be a variety of other activities in different venues around the town including the rhubarb competition. A ceilidh will also take place from 5-7pm on the Saturday at the Argyll Hotel.
“Taste Dunoon is fast taking shape,” explained Ciorsdan Fagan of Dunoon Presents “and we are delighted to be collaborating with the POP Shop.
“We have so much to shout about when it comes to food and drink in our wee corner of Scotland with the festival showcasing the very best in produce and culinary creativity,” added Ciorsdan.
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Dunoon Presents, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) organisation, organises a range of exciting sport, music and community-focused events throughout the year, including Punk on the Peninsula (22 to 24 May), Argyll Rally (19 to 20 June), Dunoon 10k Coastal Road Race (1 August), Doon the Watter Revival (14 to 15 August), Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay (22 August), Dunoon Tradfest (24 to 26 September) and Dunoon Dazzles Winterfest (21st November).
For more information visit www.dunoonpresents.co.uk or email info@pa23.org.uk. To enter the Rhubarb Festival competition visit www.popshop.scot.
