Emma Gary Maclean named as ‘star turn’ at inaugural food and drink festival
Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean will be playing centre stage at Taste Dunoon this summer, the town’s first ever food and drink festival which takes place July 25th to 26th.
Winston Churchill Venison, whose produce will feature in a cooking demonstration by Gary, has also joined a growing list of local food producers that will be present at the festival as well as being one of the confirmed event sponsors alongside bakers Black of Dunoon.
Born in Glasgow, Gary Maclean has spent more than 35 years within Scotland’s hospitality industry, overseeing the launch and development of over 80 venues across the country. In recognition of his achievements, the Scottish Government appointed him as Scotland’s National Chef in 2017.
Gary shot to prominence after winning BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016. He recently returned to the programme as a guest judge and mentor.
He is a passionate advocate for culinary education and has served the City of Glasgow College for over 25 years.
Gary, who will officially open the festival, exclaimed: “I’m delighted to be involved in Taste Dunoon and look forward to experiencing the range of food and drink on offer in this spectacular corner of Scotland.
“I’ve always been passionately committed to raising the profile of food producers across Scotland, and I have fond memories of visiting Dunoon through my work in education, teaching young people in the local high school,” added Gary.
Ciorsdan Fagan of organisers Dunoon Presents commented: “The involvement of Gary Maclean is great news and a boost to what promises to be a true celebration of food and drink across Dunoon and the Cowal peninsula in Argyll.
“We already have the confirmed involvement of a growing number of food and drink businesses including Winston Churchill Venison which was founded in 1990 by Winston Churchill who hails from a branch of the Churchill family related to the iconic politician of the same name.
“Another event sponsor, Black of Dunoon, is a family-run bakery business that was founded in 1922 and distributes baked goods across Argyll and the west of Scotland,” added Ciorsdan
Winston’s son Angus Churchill commented: “We are proud to be sponsoring and supporting an event that will put Dunoon on the ‘food map’ and hope it will become a regular event in the town’s calendar.”
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 (22-24 May), Argyll Rally (19-20 June), Dunoon 10k Coastal Road Race (1st August), Doon the Watter Revival (14-15 August), Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay (22nd August), Dunoon Tradfest (24-26 September) and Dunoon Dazzles Winterfest (21st November).
For more information visit www.dunoonpresents.co.uk
