THE MANAGER OF the Elgin Business Improvement District has declared last weekend’s food and drink festival in the town as a major success.
Gill Neil was commenting after taking stock of a day that saw over 80 exhibitions, demonstrations and market stalls that drew large crowds to the fifth annual event of its kind.
Attendance by 2014 television Masterchef Professionals winner Jamie Scott and Great British Bake Off contestant Norman Calder was credited with providing a boost on a day when the best of local produce was on display.
As well as the many hands-on cooking sessions there was a countryside classroom and two treasure hunts that proved highly popular with visitors.
Live cookery classes provided with assistance from the Oakwood Cookery School and RAF Chef, SAC Lawrence Nunn delivered both fun and practical cooking lessons to over 40 volunteers taking part – including a group of 12-16 year olds from the Elgin Youth Café.
Ms Neil said: “We were delighted at the huge numbers of visitors in town and there was a great response from our members via our Facebook page after the event.
“It was a fantastic day for several commenting that it was the best market they had ever attended – and even better than it had been last year.
“There was a great reaction to the event with smiles throughout the city centre – the success of the event was also helped by the glorious weather and our fantastic volunteers.”