Sponsor Announced for Spirit of the West's Food & Drink Marquee

News Release 03.04.09

Industry led organisation Scotland Food & Drink, with the support from The Scottish Government, has been confirmed as sponsors of Spirit of the West’s food & drink marquee, one of five themed marquees at the event that will celebrate and showcase the rich culture of Scotland’s west coast.

The food and drink marquee will feature Food from Argyll, a collaboration of high quality local food producers from the west coast, celebrity Scottish chef Nick Nairn on Sunday 17th May, who will cook up dishes with a whisky twist, other cookery demonstrations from well known Whisky Coast chefs, including Shirley Spear from The Three Chimney’s restaurant on Skye, and much more. The festival takes place at Inveraray Castle in May this year and is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s Whisky Month.

Scotland Food & Drink is a leadership organisation that guides the industry in making the most of Scotland’s natural resources and the skills and energy of their businesses. Scotland Food & Drink’s vision is to make Scotland internationally known as ‘The Land of Food and Drink’ and their mission is to place Scotland amongst the top 3 of the world’s producers of premium food & drink products.

Fiona Richmond, Scotland Food & Drink project manager said: “Scotland Food & Drink is delighted to be sponsoring the Spirit of the West event during Homecoming Scotland 2009’s Whisky Month. Scottish food and drink is some of the best quality in the world, boasting delicious seafood, beef, game, soft fruits and whisky, to name but a few. The west coast of Scotland and its wealth of dedicated producers truly exemplify the best of our nation’s food and drink industry. We look forward to helping our members to demonstrate to visitors the quality of Scotland’s produce by giving them some superb taste experiences.”

Nicky Murphy, Project Manager for The Whisky Coast and Event Manager for Spirit of the West said: “We are delighted to announce Scotland Food & Drink as sponsors of our food and drink marquee. The association between the two are the perfect match as we both aim to promote the exceptional quality and uniqueness of Scotland’s food & drink products.”

She added: “Their contribution will support our local food & drink producers taking part in the festival and go towards the running costs of this particular marquee.”

Inspired by the blend of whisky, rugged coastlines and the dramatic atmosphere of Scotland’s west coast, the Spirit of the West festival will showcase the very heart of whisky culture with whisky, food & drink, history & heritage, music & drama and arts & crafts from across the region brought to one location. Join in the celebrations at Inveraray Castle on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2009 and be part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s whisky month.

Visit www.spiritofthewest.co.uk for more information. Spirit of the West tickets are now available to buy via www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest. For more information on Scotland Food & Drink visit www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org.

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For more information please contact:
Pauline Foster
PR Manager
Pure Shores PR
Tel: 01631 569 651
Mob & Out of Office Hours: 07791 573247
Email: pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk

Note to Editors:

Interviews with Scotland Food & Drink & Spirit of the West can be arranged.
Food from Argyll exhibitors include Loch Fyne Oysters, Bumble Puddings, Barbreck Farm, Inverloch Cheeses, Kingross Herbs, Eden Stovies, Winston Churchill Venison, Seafood Shack, Henshelwood Fine Foods, Arran Dairies, Crystal's Shortbread, Fyne Ales
Other local food exhibitors at the festival include Inverawe Smokehouse, Kitchen Garden & Eden Deli.
Ticket Information (available from www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest):

Adults: £14.50 per day; £22 for weekend
Children under 16: £10 per day; £18 for weekend
Family (two adults, two children): £45 per day; £75 for weekend
Children under eight: Free
Senior Citizens & Concessions: £10 per day, £18 for weekend

In addition to a day or weekend ticket, whisky masterclass tickets cost £10 per head per class or £15 per head for extended classes. A total of 12 classes will take place over the weekend and will last up to one hour. 50 places are available in each masterclass session. Tickets for masterclasses will be available for purchase on the day and is based on a first come first serve basis.

Inveraray Castle lies on the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne in the old town of Inveraray in Argyll, 60 miles north of Glasgow with road links north and south.
Spirit of the West is organised by the team behind The Whisky Coast, a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries, 20 first class hotels, restaurants that boast some of Scotland’s finest produce and picturesque golf courses. Please visit www.whiskycoast.co.uk for more information and for details of whisky coast members.
Press trips to the Whisky Coast are available. Please contact Pauline Foster on 01631 569 651 if you would like to visit members of the Whisky Coast along this spectacular coastline.
The Whisky Coast & Spirit of the West encourages responsible drinking and supports the Drinkaware Trust which campaigns and educates to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol related harm.
Homecoming Scotland 2009:

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is funded by Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland, the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s national tourism agency.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme’s design guided by Scotland’s unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, Great Minds and Innovations and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland’s global family.

For more information on Homecoming Scotland & Whisky Month please visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com/whiskymonth

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