Tag: food and drink

Hospitality stars crowned at Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025

THE DIGGERS IS WHISKY BAR OF THE YEAR

The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled at a glittering Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow on Tuesday. Celebrating its 30th year, the prestigious event welcomed hundreds of hospitality professionals from across Scotland, with over 100 venues shortlisted as finalists.

Top industry honours went to some of Scotland’s most iconic names. Michele Pagliocca, owner of Monteleone Ltd (The Marlborough, The Butterfly and the Pig,

The Buff Club and Singl-End) in Glasgow, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Donald MacLeod MBE was recognised with the SHG Contribution to the Industry Award and Buzzworks’ Alison Blair was named Inspirational Woman of the Year.

Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2025

There were big celebrations in Edinburgh as local venues scooped some of the night’s most coveted titles.

Black Ivy was named Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year, Hey Palu claimed the Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, and The Athletic Arms (above) took home the title of Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year.

I’m sure my old pal Frank Russell would have raised a glass to THAT award! – Ed.

Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2025

It was a double win for Encore Bars, with Freddy’s picking up Fireball Best Late Night Venue, and owner Edward Fox receiving the Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneur Award.

The night even saw individual successes celebrated, with Jane Ross (The Mother Superior) awarded the Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, Gavin Ruthven (The Dome) named HOSPO Manager of the Year, and Toby Peters (The Cocktail Geeks) shaking things up to win Schweppes Mixologist of the Year.

In Midlothian, The Original Rosslyn Inn was recognised as the DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, celebrating its warm welcome to both guests and their four-legged friends.

The celebrations continued in Glasgow, where Berlinkys was awarded the DRAM New Bar of the Year, Kitty O’Shea’s took home the Jameson Best Irish Bar title, and MacSorley’s proudly received the highly sought-after Pub of the Year award.

Dundee enjoyed a successful night, with Draffens honoured with the De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, and The Phoenix receiving the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality.

In Fife, Hugos Bar and Pavilion celebrated a second consecutive win, this time taking home the DRAM Best Beer Garden award, while The Criterion in St Andrews received the Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering trophy.

Elsewhere across Scotland, The Newton Bar in Millport was named DRAM Community Pub of the Year, The Birds and Bees in Stirling earned the Jump Ship Brewing Gastropub of the Year title, Lochy’s in Barrhead took the Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year award, and Aimee Ashworth from Dishoom was honoured with the Campari Bar Apprentice 2025 accolade.

Two industry giants also made their mark on the night. Apex Hotels showcased their commitment to staff wellbeing by winning the Hospitality Health Employer of the Year award, while the formidable Bucks Bar Group took home the Favela Independent Multiple Operator Award.

Special recognition was given to Fiona Joyce of the Solway Lodge in Gretna, who received the Unsung Hero award, and Lorraine Ferguson from Billy Bridges in Ayr, who was named Bar Personality of the Year.

Both women have dedicated over 20 years to their venues, embodying the passion and loyalty at the heart of Scotland’s hospitality industry.

Susan Young, organiser and Editor of industry publication DRAM, said, “It was fantastic to see so many deserving winners this year.

“These awards are a celebration of the people who make the Scottish hospitality industry the success it is, and this year’s entries were truly outstanding.

“Over the past 30 years, we’ve hosted some incredible events, and this was certainly one of the best. Every finalist deserves recognition for the exceptional venues they operate and should be immensely proud of their achievements.

“Congratulations to each and every one of them!”

The full list of winners is below:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Michele Pagliocca

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year

Athletic Arms – Edinburgh

Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneurial Award

Edward Fox – Encore Bars, Edinburgh

Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year

Hey Palu – Edinburgh

DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year 

The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin

Highly Commended – The Anchorage, Dunure

Campari Bar Apprentice 2025

Aimee Ashworth – Dishoom, Glasgow (Formerly La Jupe, Helensburgh)

Highly Commended – Cameron Evans, Lynnhurst Hotel

De Kuyper Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues

Draffens – Dundee

Highly Commended – The Corner House, Kilwinning

Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star

Jane Ross – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh

Favela Independent Multiple Operator 

Winner – Buck’s Bar Group

Highly Commended – Rocks Leisure Group

Fireball Best Late Night Venue 

Freddy’s – Edinburgh 

Hospitality Health Employer of the Year 

Apex Hotels

Highly Commended – Lisini Pub Co.

HOSPO Manager of the Year 

Gavin Ruthven – The Dome, Edinburgh

Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year 

Black Ivy – Edinburgh

Unsung Hero

Fiona Joyce – Solway Lodge Hotel

Bar Personality of the Year

Lorraine Ferguson – Billy Bridges/Southern Ayr

Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering 

The Criterion – St Andrews 

SPBA Best Beer Garden 

Hugos Bar & Pavilion – Dalgety Bay

Jameson Best Irish Bar

Kitty O’Shea’s – Glasgow

Jump Ship Brewing Gastro Pub of the Year

The Birds and Bees – Stirling

Highly Commended – Crown and Anchor Inn – Findhorn

DRAM Community Pub of the Year

The Newton Bar – Millport

SBPA New Bar of the Year 

Berlinkys – Glasgow

Schweppes Mixologist of the Year 

Toby Peters – The Cocktail Geeks, Edinburgh

Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year 

Lochy’s – Barrhead

Scottish Hospitality Group Special Recognition Award

Donald MacLeod MBE

Inspirational Woman of the Year

Alison Blair

Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality 

The Phoenix – Dundee

Pub of the Year 

MacSorley’s – Glasgow 

Follow us online:

www.dramscotland.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/scottish.bar.pub.awards/ https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/

Houston, We Have a Menu: Six by Nico blasts off with SPACE theme

Prepare for lift-off as Six by Nico, the pioneering restaurant brand known for its ever-evolving tasting menus, unveils its most creative concept yet: SPACE. 

Launching on August 25th across Edinburgh and all Six by Nico locations, this cosmic culinary experience invites diners to journey through the galaxies with a six-course menu inspired by the mystery, wonder, and adventure of outer space.

From cosmic textures to planetary plating, each dish on this interstellar culinary voyage is a step on a journey through time, space, and taste.

Following a series of beloved themed menus such as “The Chippie,” “Once Upon a Time,” and “New York,” SPACE marks a bold new frontier for Chef Nico Simeone and his creative team. 

The new menu draws inspiration from astronomy, interstellar travel, and the futuristic possibilities of food beyond Earth, resulting in an imaginative, multi-sensory dining experience unlike anything else.

Chef Nico Simeone said: “SPACE is about pushing the boundaries of flavour and presentation. We asked ourselves: what might food look and taste like on a space station, or on a distant planet?

“The result is a menu that’s both playful and thought-provoking – a journey for the palate and the imagination.”

Prepare to be spoon-fed stardust with a six-course tasting menu featuring galactic flavour combinations, innovative textures, and visually stunning presentations that are sure to delight both returning guests and first-time diners. 

Each SPACE dish represents a different aspect of space exploration – from liftoff to the lunar surface, and beyond with highlights that includes: 

  • Zero Gravity Oyster – Smoked Salmon, Granny Smith Apple, Kohlrabi, Oyster Emulsion
  • Black Hole – Fregola Sarda, Cuttlefish, Burnt Lemon, Bisque, Pork Fat Crumb
  • Solar Flare – Flat Iron, Ox Parcel, Saffron & Orange, Black Garlic, Squash
  • Goodbye Earth – Baked Vanilla Custard, Orange Marmalade, Grand Marnier

The SPACE menu will be available for a limited 12 weeks only, priced at £45 per person, with an optional wine pairing experience available for an additional £30. The menu is available from August 25th until 16th November 2025. 

Join Six by Nico as they boldly go where no menu has gone before. To book visit:

Edinburgh – Booking
Edinburgh West – Booking

Tomorrow: Edinburgh store giving away 100 free slices of cake

CAKE lovers in Edinburgh can enjoy a free slice tomorrow (Saturday 23rd August), as Cake Box opens its new store on St John’s Road, Corstorphine.

Cake Box is known for its fresh cream celebration cakes, cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes, all of which are 100% egg-free. The bakery is popular among those who enjoy a more delicate textured cake, people simply looking for quick and delicious sweet treats, and those looking for cakes that meet specific dietary requirements. 

To celebrate the launch, the first 100 visitors will be given a free slice of celebration cake (while stocks last). Families can also enjoy free face painting and balloons on the day. 

The launch event will run from 11am tomorrow – Saturday 23rd August. 

Sukh Chamdal, founder and chief executive officer (CEO), at Cake Box said: “We’re really excited to be bringing our delicious celebration cakes and sweet treats to Edinburgh, and we’re encouraging locals to stop by to try them on us, to mark the occasion!

“The timing couldn’t be better – families who are running out of ideas for entertaining their kids at the end of the school holidays will love being able to pick up a free slice of cake and have their faces painted on the launch day.” 

Event details: 

  • Date: Saturday 23rd August 2025
  • Time: From 11am
  • Address: 217 St John’s Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh. EH12 7UU
  • Giveaway: 100 free slices of cake, face painting and balloons (while stocks last) 

The new store has also created local jobs, further strengthening Cake Box’s commitment to communities across the UK. 

Cake Box is the UK’s leading retailer of handmade, fresh cream egg-free cakes. Its 250+ stores nationwide offer beautifully handcrafted celebration cakes and sweet treats for every occasion. Stores also offer quick and beautiful personalisation, for an extra special touch.  

Visit www.cakebox.com to find your local store, or click and collect in as little as one hour. 

Finalists announced for Scottish Bar & Pubs Awards 2025

Lights, Pints, Action! Edinburgh’s Pubs Go for Gold at the Hospitality Industry’s Very Own Oscars

Edinburgh’s favourite pubs are ready to raise a glass as the finalists for this year’s Scottish Bar & Pub Awards are revealed and the best go head-to-head for the ultimate industry honours.

Run by leading hospitality magazine DRAM, these awards are Scotland’s longest-running celebration of pubs, bars, and the people who make them great. Celebrating their 30th year, they’ve become the biggest night on the licensed trade calendar, where the country’s hospitality heroes get the recognition they deserve.

This year’s winners will be crowned at a glittering, Oscar-themed gala on Tuesday 26th August in Glasgow, in a night of red carpets, champagne, and high spirits! From cosy locals to cutting-edge cocktail spots, the competition is fierce, and all eyes are on who will take home the industry’s most prestigious titles. 

Local finalists include the Athletic Arms, The Belfry and the Mother Superior which are up for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, The Cocktail Geeks, Hey Palu and Lady Libertine who are fighting it out to become Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year and the Boston Bar, Malones, O’Connnor’s and Seamus’s who are all hoping to be crowned Jameson Best Irish Bar!

However, with nearly 25 award categories, there are plenty more local legends, rising stars, and incredible venues all hoping for their moment in the spotlight – and guests can expect a few surprises on the night too!

Publisher, Susan Young, said, “We’re delighted to congratulate all our finalists from across Scotland. Thousands of customers have cast their votes to make sure their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants, and bar staff get the recognition they deserve!

“In the midst of the many challenges facing hospitality, these businesses have gone above and beyond to keep their customers happy and that hard work has not gone unnoticed. Our mystery shoppers and judges have been full of praise for the outstanding quality of entries and the exceptional service they experienced on their visits.”

Over 600 of Scotland’s hospitality stars will gather for one glittering night to see who takes home the industry’s highest honours. Here’s the full roll call of categories and contenders vying for glory:

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year

Athletic Arms – Edinburgh

The Belfry – Edinburgh

Mother Superior – Edinburgh

The Pot Still – Glasgow

Black Ivy & Montpeliers Rising Entrepreneur of the Year

Ceceley Chambers, The Bowlers Rest – Edinburgh

Edward Fox, Encore Bars – Edinburgh

Allan Low, The Fox & Willow – Ayr

Lauren McIntosh, The Cocktail Joint – Elgin

Connie and James Taberner, Fintry Bay – Millport

Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year

The Cocktail Geeks – Edinburgh

Hey Palu – Edinburgh

Jacks Bar, Dakota Hotel – Glasgow

Kelvingrove Café – Glasgow

Lady Libertine – Edinburgh

DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

The Anchorage – Dunure

Bag o’Nails – Glasgow

The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin

Weston Tavern – Kilmaurs

Campari Bar Apprentice 2025

Aimee Ashworth, La Jupe – Helensburgh

Lewis Crone, Margo – Glasgow

Cameron Evans, Lynnhurst Hotel – Johnstone

Anya Garrow, Gleneagles – Auchterarder

Callum McCarthy, Encore – Edinburgh

Stuart Robertson, Badger & Co – Edinburgh

Wesley Smith, Di Maggios – East Kilbride

Finn Truter, Brewhemia – Edinburgh

Louise Turner, Rabble – Edinburgh

De Kuyper Award For Cocktail Excellence In Neighbourhood Venues

The Corner House – Kilwinning

Draffens – Dundee

McLarens On The Corner – Edinburgh

The Torfin – Edinburgh

Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award

Ross Barr, Scotch at the Balmoral – Edinburgh

Chris Chambers, Cask & Vine – Edinburgh

Lucy Connor, Tipsy Midgie – Edinburgh

Jane Ross, Mother Superior – Edinburgh

Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year

Bucks Bar Group

Cru Hospitality

Eden Group

Rocks Leisure Group

Fireball Best Late Night Venue

Berlinkys – Glasgow

The Corset Club – Glasgow

Freddy’s – Edinburgh

Slouch – Glasgow

Vic’s – Prestwick

Hospitality Health Employer of the Year

Apex Hotels

Cru Hospitality

Lisini Pub Co.

Manorview

HOSPO Manager of the Year

Michael Eaton, Café Royal – Edinburgh

Lorraine Ferguson, Billy Bridges – Ayr

Pete Harvey, Aboukir – Carnoustie

Fiona Joyce, Solway Lodge – Gretna

Stewart Kilpatrick, Hope & Vincent – Glasgow

Gavin Ruthven, The Dome – Edinburgh

Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year

Bar 1819, Apex Waterloo Place – Edinburgh

Black Ivy – Edinburgh

Nor’ Loft – Edinburgh

Red Sky Bar – Glasgow

Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering

Brewhemia – Edinburgh

The Criterion – St Andrews

The Keys Bar – St Andrews

Scotch & Rye – Inverness

Teuchters Landing – Edinburgh

DRAM Best Beer Garden

Black Ivy – Edinburgh

The Fox & Willow – Ayr

Hugos Bar & Pavilion – Dalgety Bay

Weavers – Paisley

Jameson Best Irish Bar

Boston Bar – Edinburgh

Kitty O’Shea’s – Glasgow

Malones – Edinburgh

O’Connor’s – Edinburgh

Seamus’s – Edinburgh

Jump Ship Brewing Gastropub of the Year

The Birds and The Bees – Stirling

The Crown & Anchor – Findhorn

The Bridge Inn – Ratho

Stravaigin – Glasgow

DRAM Community Pub of the Year

Aboukir – Carnoustie

The Bowlers Rest – Edinburgh

Montagues – Kirkcaldy

The Newton Bar – Millport

The Pawn Lounge – Alexandria

New Bar of the Year 2025

Boston Bar – Edinburgh

Berlinkys – Glasgow

Cask & Vine – Edinburgh

The Marlborough – Glasgow

Sebbs – Glasgow

Schweppes Mixologist of the Year

Branford Edgar, Kelvingrove Café – Glasgow

Jake Harris, Old Pal – Edinburgh

Poppy Kerr, Bartenders Lounge – Aberdeen

Chris Mullen, Mar Hall – Bishopton

Toby Peters, The Cocktail Geeks – Edinburgh

Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year

Houston’s Sports Bar – Johnstone

Hope & Vincent – Glasgow

Lochy’s – Barrhead

The Tap Yard – Glasgow

Staropramen Award For Outstanding Quality

Brewhemia – Edinburgh

Boston Bar – Edinburgh

Louie Brown’s – Dalgety Bay

The Phoenix – Dundee

Siberia – Aberdeen

Pub of the Year

The Anglers – Annan

Athletic Arms – Edinburgh

Four Marys – Linlithgow

MacSorley’s – Glasgow

Follow us online:

https://www.facebook.com/scottish.bar.pub.awards/ 

https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/

Thousands granted to Edinburgh’s community food growing initiatives

More than £50k in funding has been awarded to food growing projects across Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s £52,500 Grow Your Own Fund has been shared between 13 community and voluntary groups whose work includes creating food growing spaces and providing food growing education. 

Applications for funding were individually assessed by a panel, with grants of up to £5000 awarded to a range of schemes. Amongst the initiatives are Tuk Tuk and Grow, which brings mobile growing and cooking sessions to families across Edinburgh using a tuk tuk bike, and Nuclear Growth, which plans to set up a food growing project on the site of a former nuclear bunker on Corstorphine Hill.

Funding is intended to be spent in areas such as: purchasing seeds, plants, and tools; equipment for community garden cooking areas; education and training activities; personal protective equipment; and staff time directly related to establishing the growing area.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The standard of applications to the fund was extremely high, and the panel were really impressed – the successful projects demonstrate real creativity and ambition.

“Urban food growing is important for the health of both people and nature. These initiatives will really benefit local communities and the wider city by bringing people together, reducing food waste and supporting biodiversity.”

Full list of successful projects:

  • Nuclear Growth, Barnton Bunker Preservation Society (awarded £4640)
  • Get Blackhall Growing, Blackhall Parent Carer Council (awarded £2000)
  • Tuk Tuk Grow and Go, Edinburgh Community Food (awarded £5000)
  • Redhall Grows, Friends of Redhall School (awarded £5000)
  • Gate 55 Community Food Growers, Gate 55 Community Centre (awarded £4946)
  • Growing Together, Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre (awarded £5000)
  • Longstone Primary Farm and Garden, Parents at Longstone School (awarded £1400)
  • Community Garden at Pilton Equalities Project, Pilton Equalities Project (awarded £4000)
  • StJV Allotment: a growing space for the campus community, St John Vianney Primary School Charitable Trust (awarded £5000)
  • Community Garden and Foraging Trail, St Mary’s Episcopal cathedral (awarded £5000)
  • Flourishing Together at Gracemount Medical Practice, Transition Edinburgh South (awarded £5000)
  • Garden @ the Snake, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust (awarded £2625 – partial funding)
  • Edible Garden at The Action Group, The Action Group (awarded £2889 – partial funding)

Patricia Lee from Gate 55 said: “We were really keen to support a new community food growing group here and this grant makes a huge difference to us.

” The funds will enable us to provide the group with resources for propagation space and for fruit bushes and compost, as well as supporting them with a project worker who will help with capacity-building and growing the membership of the group.”

Ryan Lytwyn, Mental Health Worker with the Pilton Equalities Project, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the Grow Your Own grant scheme.

“It will make a huge difference to our community garden at the Pilton Equalities Project, allowing us to expand our growing space, install greenhouses, and involve more local people in growing fresh, sustainable food.

“This support means we can promote food security, improve wellbeing, and help our community take positive action for our climate.”

Jonathan Baxter from A+E at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral said: “We were delighted to hear about the Grow Your Own Fund and even more delighted when we heard that our application had been successful.

“Community food growing is a key part of that commitment and securing funding for a community gardener/development worker allows us to realise our aim of establishing a Community Garden in the West End of Edinburgh.

Alongside local residents and current users of Walpole Hall, the Community Garden aims to support the wider climate justice movement in Edinburgh. It does this by providing a welcoming space where horticulture and ecological design skills can be learnt in a hands-on way.

Eat Cake for a Good Cause … LifeCare’s Afternoon Tea is back!

THURSDAY 4th SEPTEMBER at 12.30pm

Following a sell-out success in March, local charity LifeCare Edinburgh is delighted to announce the return of its popular Afternoon Tea at the LifeCare Hub on Cheyne Street on Thursday 4th September.

Guests can look forward to a delicious spread of homemade cakes, savoury treats, and endless cups of tea and coffee, all served in the heart of one of Edinburgh’s most loved community spaces. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy a relaxed afternoon with friends, family, or neighbours – all while supporting a fantastic local cause.

But this event is more than just tea and treats – every ticket sold will directly support LifeCare’s urgent fundraising appeal to keep the Hub running. With rapidly rising costs, the charity is calling on the community to help protect the services so many people rely on.

Sarah Van Putten, CEO of LifeCare said: “The LifeCare Hub is a lifeline for thousands across the city. Whether it’s classes for isolated older adults, support for unpaid carers, or just a welcoming place to connect, the Hub brings people together. 

“This Afternoon Tea is a chance to enjoy a lovely afternoon whilst helping us secure the Hub’s future.”

The Hub, which first opened in 1975 as ‘Stockbridge House’, now welcomes over 47,000 visits a year, offering 80+ weekly activities for all ages. As a charity, LifeCare works hard to ensure that its services are affordable or free, so no one is left out.

Afternoon Tea Details:

  • LifeCare Hub, 2 Cheyne Street, Stockbridge EH4 1JB
  • 1230pm Thursday 4th September 2025
  • To book, call 0131 343 0940 or pop into the Hub
  • £15 per person including a small donation.

Spaces are limited and expected to sell out fast – so early booking is strongly advised.

Visit www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk for more information.

Edinburgh International Book Festival is OPEN!

The twinkle lights are up, the books are on the shelves, the food trucks have pulled up – oh yes, the Book Festival site at Edinburgh Futures Institute is ready for all the amazing authors, artists, costume characters, musicians, thinkers, dreamers, and, most importantly, YOU – our wonderful audience – to start arriving from Saturday. 9th August – i.e. TODAY!. 

If you still haven’t decided what to come along to yet, we’ve got you! This e-news will give you plenty of events to pick from:

Check out the full programme here

Don’t Look Back in Hanger!

ROLL WITH IT – OASIS REUNION CELEBRATED WITH SAUAGE ROLLS

In a delightful nod to Oasis’ triumphant return to the stage, Make it Scotch encouraged fans to ‘Roll with it’ with Specially Selected Pork sausage rolls yesterday afternoon (Friday, 8th August).

As fans queued up for the highly anticipated reunion gig, they were treated to free sausage rolls and Oasis-inspired bucket hats, ensuring they wouldn’t “Look Back in Hanger.”

The excitement was electric as fans held up their savoury treats and donned their new hats, all set against the backdrop of the iconic Murrayfield stadium. This fun and light-hearted activation brought smiles and satisfaction, making the wait for the concert even more memorable.

Be sure to catch more of these moments shared by @makeitscotch on their social media channels.

To find out more about Specially Selected Pork, Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, visit: makeitscotch.com.

Empty Kitchens Full Hearts: Community Lunch TODAY

Menu for Friday the 8th of August 🥣

We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you tomorrow. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu tomorrow:

Carrot and lentil soup

Chorizo and sweetcorn pasta

Cauliflower and sweetcorn pasta (V)

Garden salad

Banana bread

Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out! Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!

Edinburgh food trucks come together to fight hunger and loneliness

Three local Edinburgh food trucks served up something special for customers last weekend – teaming up with Scotland’s number one cheddar brand, Galloway Cheddar, to raise money for FareShare and help tackle food poverty and social isolation across the country. 

Food trucks across Scotland are hitting the road to serve limited-edition cheesy creations for one-day-only fundraising events as part of the nationwide Galloway Gathering Project.

The campaign launched on Friday 25 July as Wanderers Kneaded Pizza, Wanderers Kneaded Street Food and Lazeezdished up a bespoke menu made with Galloway Cheddar at Innis & Gunn’s On The Mound site – proving that comfort food really can be a force for good. 

The fundraising day was part of the ‘Galloway Gathering Project’, a nationwide campaign that brings together Scottish cheese brand Galloway and FareShare – the UK’s leading food redistribution charity. Customers were encouraged to donate to FareShare via QR codes at the trucks. 

Mark Morris, Managing Director at Wanderers Kneaded said: “Since starting Wanderers Kneaded in 2018, it’s been amazing to see the way the people of Edinburgh gather around food and socialise.

“By doing something as simple as using Galloway Cheddar on our pizzas and burgers for the day, we’re able to turn that shared love of food into something meaningful – helping raise funds and awareness for those facing hunger and isolation in our communities.”

Following previous years of success, this year’s ‘Galloway Gathering Project’, will see the equivalent of 90,000 meals donated* to those in need. 

Heloise Le Norcy-Trott, Marketing Director at Lactalis UK & Ireland, said: “The food truck days have become a highlight of the Galloway Gathering Project, with local vendors across Scotland serving up delicious cheesy dishes to support FareShare.

“It’s a simple but powerful way to bring people together and raise awareness of food poverty and loneliness in Scotland’s communities.”

Kirsty Ford, Head of Fundraising at FareShare said: “We are so grateful to everyone at Galloway Cheddar for supporting this campaign. The donations made to FareShare from this initiative will help us get good-to-eat food, which might otherwise go to waste, to people who need it.

“Every day, food from FareShare is redistributed to a network of charities including homelessness shelters, after school clubs, refuges, and older people’s lunch clubs.

“By donating to FareShare via the food trucks, supporters help power the redistribution of surplus food, supporting essential services that strengthen communities and improve lives. Thank you.”  

As part of the campaign, 800kg of Galloway Cheddar is being donated to FareShare’s partner organisations, and Scottish National Chef and MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean is hosting two cooking events in Dundee, preparing comforting Mac n’ Cheese dishes to be distributed to local charities. 

To donate to The Galloway Gathering Project, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/gallowaygatheringproject2025 

To find out more information on The Galloway Gathering Project, please visit

https://www.gallowaycheddar.co.uk/