Emma Mykytyn Taste Dunoon Food and Drink Festival Set to Make Its Debut
Dunoon is preparing to welcome its first-ever Taste Dunoon food and drink festival, with a packed weekend of local produce, street food, cooking demonstrations and entertainment.
Taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, the inaugural festival will be held across Castle Gardens, the neighbouring Queens Hall and several other venues throughout the town.
Taste Dunoon will be officially opened by Scotland’s National Chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean.
Gary will appear at the festival on Saturday, where he will host live cookery demonstrations featuring audience participation, food samples and plenty of laughs.
“I’ll be there on the 25th July and I’ll be doing some live cookery demonstrations with loads of audience participation, loads of tasters and loads of laughs,” he said.
More than 50 food and drink stalls
More than 50 stalls and street food vendors are expected to take part in the weekend celebration, alongside demonstrations, workshops and special events.
Visitors will be able to discover everything from artisan cheeses and handmade chocolates to cakes, cocktails, rum and locally grown rhubarb.
The programme also incorporates Dunoon’s second annual Rhubarb Festival, which will take place at the POP Shop on Hillfoot Street.
Several local businesses are creating special rhubarb-themed treats for the occasion. Anselmo’s fish and chip shop will serve deep-fried rhubarb, while GoYo frozen yoghurt shop will offer a rhubarb crumble topping.
Festival organiser Ciorsdan Fagan of Dunoon Presents said excitement was building ahead of the event.
“We’re almost there and can’t wait to get the festival underway,” she said. “There are so many creative local businesses taking part that visitors will be spoilt for choice with what’s on offer.”
New Taste Dunoon food and drink trail
The festival will also mark the launch of a dedicated Taste Dunoon food and drink trail, funded by Argyll and Bute Council.
The trail will feature more than 40 businesses across the town, including speciality food shops, cafés and restaurants.
A large marquee will house many of the festival stalls, while street food vendors will be positioned around Castle Gardens.
Ciorsdan added: “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.”
Live music, dancing and a ceilidh
Food and drink will be at the centre of the festival, but visitors can also expect live music, performances and family-friendly entertainment throughout the weekend.
Local Highland dancers are scheduled to perform at midday on Saturday, while restaurants and cafés around Dunoon will host their own associated events.
Cowal Art Network will present an exhibition inside the pavilion building on Dunoon Pier, offering visitors an opportunity to take a break from the festival’s food and drink activities.
A ceilidh will also take place at the Argyll Hotel from 5pm until 7pm on Saturday evening.
Tickets cost £15, plus a small booking fee, and can be booked online at:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/dunoonpresents/2215190
More events in Dunoon
Dunoon Presents, the town’s Business Improvement District organisation, runs a varied programme of sporting, cultural and community events throughout the year.
Upcoming events include:
– Dunoon 10K Coastal Road Race – 1 August
– Doon the Watter Revival – 14 and 15 August
– Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay – 22 August
– Dunoon Tradfest – 24 to 26 September
– Dunoon Dazzles Winterfest – 21 November
Taste Dunoon takes place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July at Castle Gardens, Queens Hall and participating venues throughout Dunoon.
Further information is available from the Dunoon Presents website at www.dunoonpresents.co.uk
Details about the Rhubarb Festival can be found at www.popshop.scot.
