The harvest is getting underway which means that we’re coming up to peak time for flower and veg shows.
As always, Dundee Flower and Food Festival is taking place over the first weekend of September and will be running from Friday 4th-Sunday 6th September in Camperdown Park.
There will be flower and veg competitions; craft displays, children’s entertainment and lots of live music including a set from none other than Dougie Maclean.
We’re sure you know this already but should you feel tempted to enter one of the veg competition classes, remember the following golden rule: ‘All vegetables must be clean, sound and properly dressed. Undue dressing may disqualify’.
Of course, for the purposes of the 5pm Dining blog, it is the chefs and food component of the event which sticks out most prominently.
Scotch broth competition
If you fancy your soup-making skills then you could enter the Scotch broth competition. As there is no definitive recipe, and versions vary from region to region, entrants are welcome to freestyle.
While a certain flair is encouraged, competitors should note that the following should be included: Scotch lamb or mutton and/or Scotch beef, barley (pearl or pot), onion, leek, turnip, carrot, cabbage or kale and marrowfat peas. Other ingredients may be added.
So there.
MasterChef The Professionals
There are lots of local and not so local chefs putting in an appearance. Local heroes include Geoffrey Smeddle of The Peat Inn and Jamie Scott, winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2014.
Previously at Rocca in St Andrews, Jamie is looking to open his own place later this year and we have an interview with him ready to run when he does.
Visitors can also look forward to two other very recognisable fizzogs from the telly: the one and only Tony Singh and the equally ebullient Gregg Wallace.
As we have mentioned on the blog a couple of times, we met Gregg recently when he was in Scotland promoting Scotch lamb PGI.
There are lots more convenient lamb recipes at the Wham Bam Thank You Lamb site.
The clip below shows Mr Wallace and Jamie singing the praises of Scottish meat. Expect more of the same when they check in to Dundee Flower and Food Show at the weekend.
How to buy tickets
The show takes place Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September, 10am-5.30pm.
Tickets are available, in person, from Dundee City Box Office until Saturday 5 September, 1.30pm at the following prices: day ticket: £12 adult, £11 concession; 3-day ticket: £24 adult, £22 concession.
Accompanied children under the age of 16 years are admitted free.
Tickets are now available from: Dundee Box Office and can also be purchased in person at Camperdown Park on the festival days.