PICTURES: Tasting galore as north food and drinks producers are back their at Turriff Show 2022
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FOOD and drinks producers from Aberdeenshire and across Scotland made a great start on the first day of the Turriff Show.
Exhibitors had their stalls ready with goods ranging from spirits to honey, as well as cheese and meats.
The Food&Drinks marquee, which was expanded at the last edition of the show in 2019, saw almost 30 businesses bringing their products to eager crowds, with more stands offering tasty bites scattered across other areas of the fair.
Cooking demos with Scotland's national chef, Gary Maclean were also capturing the show-goers attentions on the day.
Mr Maclean, at his first time at the Turriff Show – he was booked in for 2020 – was also promoting his book Scottish Kitchen.
He said about attending the show: "I am loving it. Great crowds, good interaction with the public and I know a lot of the companies and products that are here today which is great.
"There's no better place to promote local food. The amount of food that's up here is incredible.
"Even writing my book when I started researching and looking up what makes Scotland for food, it's all up the east coast. Even the traditional-type dishes, most of it is east coast, which is quite incredible.
"Coming up here is quite apt I think. The first demo was beef being a beef country up here, probably some of the best beef I have ever seen."
He said it was great to see crowds back after lockdown: "I think that's part of the reason why the crowds are so interactive and so willing to be here, because they understood we took things for granted and suddenly everything was taken away, and when you now get out and see people and enjoy things it's just really special.
"Being locked away has made us appreciate a lot more what we've got and the stuff we've got which is incredible.
"A lot of shows haven't come back, which is quote scary, but credit to the team at Turriff.
"You are relying on most of the team coming back, and when people break away from it it's hard. I am doing these all over the world and it's amazing the ones that aren't coming back, it's quite sad. But it's good that Turriff is here.
The food and drink offer was overseen by local farmer Sarah Mackie, who has an extensive experience in promoting local food.
She said: "It's just great to have these lovely exhibitors, and as Gary said all these producers are from Aberdeenshire and further afield but it's great and Turriff Show really appreciates them taking the time to be here today.
"The thing with the Turriff Show is that there wouldn't be a show without everybody taking part.
"It's really great and we had hundreds of people already early in the morning so it's all good."
