9 – 10 December 2017, 10am–4pm, Free of Charge
With its first ever Christmas Food Weekend event just weeks away, Bowhouse is getting ready to welcome some of Scotland’s most exciting food and drink producers to the market, alongside a range of craft producers and a line up of top chefs and street food all set to a soundtrack of live music.
The Bowhouse Christmas Food Weekend is free to attend on 9th and 10th December from 10am to 4pm and is an opportunity to see, discuss, taste and buy the best local food and drink made in Fife and beyond. Housed in Bowhouse, the newly opened food and drink hub situated just outside St Monans, the unique indoor event promises a vibrant festive atmosphere with live music, a dedicated street food area, food and craft demonstrations, children’s activities and a line up of some of Scotland’s very best food and drink producers in the covered market area.
Visitors will enter the unique space through a specially created enchanted forest scene filled with Christmas trees and home to a snug children’s storytelling area. Christmas trees will be on sale to take away on the day too.
Amongst the street food on offer there will be luxurious eggy bread from Eggy Box, pancakes from The Crepe Shack, indulgent cheese treats from The Cheesy Toast Shack, and a hand-dived seafood and vegetarian barbeque from SRUC Elmwood’s food and drink team. Live acoustic sets will play in this area with an open-mic session on Saturday afternoon. Those looking to enjoy the live music with a glass in hand will be able to enjoy local beers from the St Andrews Brewing Company, Prosecco and cocktails from The Fizz bar and a whole mobile bar from the unique The Tow Bar.
The market itself will host more than 70 stalls including artisan chocolate from Pittenweem’s own Cocoa Tree and ethical specialists Raw, Wild & Conscious; local meats from craft butchers including Minick the Butcher and rare breed pork, mutton and more from Parkhilll Produce; apple juice from Appley Ever After and sweet treats from the renowned Marshmallow Lady. Fife favourites The Very Lovely Sauce Company, which produces a range of caramel sauces, and The Little Herb Farm with its famous dips and fruit vinegars will sit alongside specialist spices from Salt Pig and Kampot Pepper. For cheese lovers, makers include the St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, which produces its award-winning produce at a neighbouring farm. A range of local fruit and vegetables will be available from Meadowsweet Organics and the East Neuk Young Farmers will have their annual Christmas veg boxes to order to raise money for two nominated charities. The East Neuk of Fife is renowned for the shellfish landed at nearby Pittenweem and Langoustine the Box will be selling a range of fresh langoustines, crabs and lobsters.
Those with a sweet tooth are not neglected with Cake Creations Fife and The White Goose producing a range of cakes and bakes. Those looking to produce their own bread need look no further than Scotland the Bread, whose newly launched range of specialist flours, and sourdough starters will be available.
With Christmas just around the corner, there’s a great range of drinks including Scottish favourites, Edinburgh Gin and local craft beers from Madderty Micro, Shed35 Brewery and St Andrews Brewing Company. The newly launched Full Moon Wines will make its debut with a range of organic, biodynamic and natural wines.
Those looking for Christmas presents will enjoy the carefully curated craft stalls as well as the opportunity to select festive wreaths and flowers. From local stained glass from East Neuk Glass and knitwear from the likes of Mitchell and Black and Di Gilpin, to contemporary jewellery, locally made candles and graphics from Whimsical Lush and Tablet and Haar.
Browsing the stalls, visitors will be able to enjoy mulled wine and carol singing. Scotland’s Women’s Institute (SWI) will contribute with spiced drinks, soup, tea and festive treats, as well as sharing some of their craft and cookery tips in the theatre area. They will also be on hand to giftwrap purchases with proceeds going to charity.
The theatre area will be led by Fife-based college, SRUC Elmwood, where chefs and food producers will take part in cookery demonstrations and talks, revealing their favourite produce, insider tips and sharing their passion for food and drink. Those taking part include Geoffrey Smeddle from the Michelin-starred Peat Inn, and Jamie Scott from the acclaimed Newport restaurant, alongside local artisan producers. Craft activities will be available for children.
Bowhouse is supporting the local East Neuk Food Bank and each stand at the market will be collecting money for the cause. A prize will be awarded to the stand which has raised the most money over the weekend.
Dogs are not permitted into the food market area but a special canine creche area will be available for visitors with dogs. Maps with suggested walks around the area are also supplied.
Opened in July 2017 on the Balcaskie Estate, Bowhouse is an extraordinary space: a place for producers, food lovers and a food and drink hub for Scotland. A year-round destination for food lovers to explore the best local produce, it is also a permanent base for a growing group of artisan producers: from brewers and butchers to shellfish producers and game dealers.
Founder, Toby Anstruther, said:
“Bowhouse is an inspiring space for the growing number of producers making the very best of the wonderful ingredients Fife has to offer from land and sea. Our food weekends aim to share this creativity and love of food and drink with everyone of all ages.
“Bowhouse has grown very quickly to become a real destination for those who truly value outstanding produce and we’re thrilled to be able to present this winter event. It not only provides our best primary producers with a platform but it’s also an opportunity to try the newest and most creative produce in Scotland.”
The Christmas Bowhouse Food Weekend will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December. Further details can be found on www.bowhousefife.com or on:
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BowhouseFife
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BowhouseFife/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bowhousefife/
Travel Information:
Bowhouse is continuing to attract a crowd of food-curious from Fife and beyond and travel to the venue is easy. Train stations at Kirkcaldy and Leuchars are stops on the main East Coast Mainline with regular services to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stagecoach bus services 95 (Leven–St Andrews) and X60 (Edinburgh–St Andrews) stop nearby. The popular seaside holiday town of Elie is just three miles away and a popular cycle ride along the Fife Coastal Path.
