Tweed, twin sets and tartans for tourists is the cynical answer but a much more upbeat perspective can be found at this weekend’s Taste of Edinburgh event.

Some 25,000 people are expected to visit the annual food festival which, for the first time, is being held in Inverleith Park. If the weathermen are to be believed then the organisers have picked a gloriously sunny weekend for their bash.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Nick Nairn and Jean-Christophe Novelli are the big name chefs who will be working the demo kitchens while fourteen of Edinburgh’s best known restaurants will be on site to serve up their signature dishes to the crowds.

Most of them are 5pm members so if you like what you see then you know where find more. The full list is: Abstract, Bella Mbriana, Centotre, Forth Floor at Harvey Nichols, Hotel du Vin (new for 2009), Malmaison, Number One at The Balmoral, Ricks (new for 2009), Santini, The Bonham, The Rutland (new for 2009), The Tower, Tigerlily and Vin Caffe.

A farmers’ market, more than sixty Scottish food producers and a host of bars and drinks companies complete the fun. One of the most intriguing is the music and wine matching sample sessions held by the Australian wine brand (yellow tail). Whether your musical preference is for the Pussycat Dolls or Napalm Death, the Aussie wine makers reckon they have a wine to match.

The event kicks off this afternoon. Writing this morning, the Saturday lunch session has already sold out.

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