The 5pm Dining will be signing off for 2014 with this post so we wish all of our readers a happy, healthy and well fed 2015.

Before we go, here are a few things to sharpen your appetite for the coming year.

Year of Food and Drink

The big news is that 2015 will be Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. A partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and EventScotland, the programme aims to celebrate all that’s great about Scotland’s larder.

As part of the promotion, each month will have activities and events themed around a specific food theme. January is themed around traditional foods; February around the food of love while October has the less romantic but equally important theme of sustainable shores.

On a personal note, we are looking forward to two of the more unusual events being held over the next twelve months.

Chilli heads fest

In September, Scone Palace will play host to its own Chilli Festival. As well as all sorts of chilli-flavoured food to guzzle, there will be a chilli-eating competition.

In October, we hope to drop by the 22nd annual World Porridge Making Championships to see who wins the Golden Spurtle.

Taking place in the Highland village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park, the event draws competitors from around the globe.

Last year, it was won by Dr Izhar Khan, an NHS renal consultant who works in Aberdeen. Will Dr Khan hold on to his title?

There’s only one way to find out – pack your travel oats and head to Carrbridge.

See y’all in 2015.