Celebrity chefs and bakers rubbed shoulders with craft brewers and fishermen as the north-east’s most celebrated food and drink festival enjoyed a “record breaking” year.
The car park, concourse and auction rings of Thainstone Mart, near Inverurie were once again thronged with visitors for the 16th Taste of Grampian on Saturday.
And the flavours, aromas and appearance of the north-east’s food and drink industry was vaster and more eclectic than ever before – from coffee-flavoured lager, brewed with water from the River Dee, to buffalo burgers and venison salami.
As he gazed across the bustling crowds at the outdoor market, Taste of Grampian chairman John Gregor said he was “overwhelmed” by the response to this year’s gathering.
He said: “I think it has been a record attendance, we have almost been overwhelmed by the support from the public and the food producers.
“We have more food producers here than we have ever had. It is great to allow the public an opportunity to see what is produced on their doorsteps and the quality and range of products they might never have seen.”
Among the stars of the 2015 show was Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, who opened London’s Four Seasons restaurant in 1996 and has cooked for the king of Qatar.
He said some of the best produce in the world originated in the north-east.
He said: “It is my third time here, they keep inviting me back. This is a unique festival and to be invited three times I feel very honoured.
“I am a great fan of good quality produce and the mix of flavours and smells is amazing. The cows here are so healthy, the farmers treat them like human beings.”
Mr Novelli delighted the audience with a cooking demonstration and went head-to-head with Aberdeen Masterchef finalist, Brian McLeish, for a celebrity chef dual.
Local talent prevailed with Mr McLeish, of the city’s Moonfish Cafe, coming out the winner.
Mr Novelli also presented the award for the Aspiring Young Chef competition to North East Scotland College student, Eilidh Davidson.
The apprentice chef at Strichen Lodge, near Mintlaw, came out on top after serving up a fillet of beef with glazed potatoes, leeks, a mushroom stew and a baked vanilla cheesecake.
Miss Davidson, 17, said: “I can’t believe it, my gran, grandad, everyone is here. I started when I was 14, did my work experience at school and have cooked ever since.”
Elsewhere, award-winning cook and food writer, Lady Claire Macdonald, gave an informative cooking demonstration while Buckie’s own Great British Bake Off star Norman Calder delighted audiences with a baking showcase.
Aberdeenshire provost Jill Webster was given a one-of-a-kind lesson from Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle during the JG Ross baking demonstration.
Mrs Webster said she was thrilled to play her part in celebrating the best of the north-east’s larder.
“I had the pleasure of baking a buttery in a bake-off competition with Nancy. It was fun to show off our important staple,” she said.
“The mix of our food offerings is wonderful, this show is bigger than ever and there is a great buzz about the place.”
Mrs Webster also awarded the best large stall award to Peterhead-based bakers, Murdoch Allan and Sons, and best small stand to Aberdeen’s Granite City Fish.
The best food stand prize went to the Really Garlicky Company.
In the Fish Market, huge examples of cod, hake and catfish were among the local catches on display, while visitors were treated to a demonstration from Peterhead skipper, Jimmy Buchan, of TV’s Trawlermen.
And for the first time at Taste of Grampian, a designated celebration of craft brewing took place with Brewfest – a marquee bustling with live music and the best beer, ale, gin and wine around – including offerings from Aberdeen’s Bottle Cap Brewery and Banchory’s Deeside Brewery.
Business development manager for the latter, Neil Stirton, said interest in craft beers was growing all the time.
“We’re doing really, really well,” he added.
Visitors from Aberdeen – Thomas Ruddock, Rhiannon Mercer and Lynne Morrison – were delighted at the influx of drinks stalls and left the event with a raft of bottles and other treats.
Mr Ruddock said: “I have been coming for quite a few years, there are a lot more drink stalls this year.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and environment, said: “The food and drink industry is booming and Taste of Grampian is a fantastic showcase for local businesses going from strength to strength.
“It is great to see new companies like craft beer brewers as well gin producers and others coming onto the scene.
“Taste of Grampian reminds us all of how the food and drink industry underpins the local economy in the north-east of Scotland.”