BIG BURRITO (big news of the week)

Scottish Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing, informed us this week that Scottish Tourism bodies should start to prepare for re-opening on the 15th July, all going well. I certainly hope so.

The Balmoral Hotel is one of the first to announce their re-opening date. 1st August, cant come quick enough.

Calmac - still running an essential timetable until the end of June and have added a new route, Gourock to Kilcreggan which will be a passenger service only and open once lockdown restrictions allow.

TARTANSPOON WEEKLY WRAP - NEWS FOR YOU TO DIGEST

FOOD

Otro and New Chapter - Fathers Day looms and this is the perfect Sunday roast offering delivered straight to your door. For as little as £55 for 2 servings, you will be able to enjoy a showstopping feast of Beef Wellington with duck fat roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, creamed spinach, gravy and Yorkshire puddings. 

Noto - their home delivery boxes are designed to share over a few meals. The box keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days or if you are feeling hungry, go for your own 7 course tasting menu. Includes a bottle of fizz for £65.

Radhuni - Scotlands top curry restaurant will be one of the first in the UK to serve food in a garden setting next weekend as Coronavirus pandemic restrictions are eased. Radhuni will operate a one way system with customers entering by the front door and leaving at the rear of the garden. Bookings will be online only, with sittings six days a week from 12 noon to 2 pm, 5-7 pm, 7-9 pm and 9-11 pm, with adequate gaps between to allow table changes and check-out. Staff will wear gloves and masks, sanitiser stations will be provided, and tilted parasols between tables will offer added protection.

Dirty - has a new menu including some vegan treats and the burger I could certainly tuck into right now, The Hot Cross Chick.

The Wee Restaurant- The Lobster Creel has proven very popular with lots of people wanting to tuck ionto some East Neuk lobsters straight from their grill. Better be quick though, these are going fast!

Marks and Spencers Veg Box - I know they are now an independent but many of us love M&S and I thought their veg box was a half decent. Their Seasonal Fruit, Vegetable & Salad Food Box is only £25 and a perfect mix of fresh fruit, veg and salad delivered at its best.

Lioness of Leith - is now open and taking orders.

Stockbridge Mac and Cheese Co - I only found out about these guys this week and their MacnCheese has rave reviews. A tray of MacnCheese starts at £5 and speciality ones are £6.

Oink - are back. Their Canongate shop is open and they are serving up the Canongate Comeback - pulled pork with haggis and chilli jam. Yassss.

Balgove Larder - Congrats, they’re among three Fife farm shops that have been named as finalists in the Great British Food Awards category for Best Farm Shop & Deli in Scotland. This year, the awards have been expanded with judges including Raymond Blanc OBE, Masterchef's Monica Galetti, Olly Smith, Eric Lanlard and Miguel Barclay. As a region, Fife has an unusually high number of nominations with Ardross Farm Shop, Balgove Larder and The Buffalo Farm all up for the Best Farm Shop in Scotland category.

Mezze on the Move - Ghillie Basan from Spirit & Spice in the Cairngorms launches Mezze on the Move from 3rd July delivering fresh salads and Mezze every Friday to the Rothiemurchus Farm Shop so you can enjoy them over the weekend. There will only be vegetarian selections available.

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PRODUCTS

Spice Pots - Amazing wee pots of spice that pack a punch and brighten up any dish. I’m making a Chicken Korma and cant wait to taste it. Spice Pots also have a fantastic cookbook available, which is so easy to follow, even a curry dummy like me can make some of these dishes. As a wee treat, Spice Pots are giving you 15% DISCOUNT off your first order! Discount code is : TARTANSPOON

Batch Coffee - a coffee subscription service. These guys work with independent coffee roasters across the UK and taste and rate their coffee, then select only the best ones to send to you. The subscription or once off purchase is simple - you decide how often you want your coffee delivered and the chosen brew method - ie beans, perculator, cafetiere etc and then they send you their chosen flavours. More info on their website.

Ullapool Smokehouse - I received some amazing honey smoked salmon this week from Ullapool Smokehouse, and I highly recommend it. Order direct from their website www.ullapoolsmokehouse.com/

Ethical Shellfish Company - Scallop diver, Guy Grieve, has been delivering his amazing seafood fresh and direct to Edinburgh and the scallops are tremendous. Fresh, juicy and super tasty. Order direct from them.

Isle of Mull Cheese - Treat Dad or indeed yourself. They have put a little selection together for a Fathers Day Box. It contains a medium wedge of Mull and Hebridean Blue, and ever popular a little waxed whisky cheese made using whisky from Tobermory Distillery. This is comes in at around 1kg of cheese and is available from their online shop. Isle of Mull Cheese is also available from IJ Mellis Cheesemongers.

Paeony Tiger - offer something very very different - Chocolate covered Strawberries that look so decadent and luxurious. Prices start at £14 for a box of 9.

DRINKS

Highland Boundary - 3 new products added. They have released a Larch & Honeysuckle Botanical Spirit and two new liqueurs, Birch and Sloe and Birch and Elderflower. Great in cocktails!

Booze Club - Cocktails delivered straight to your door; ready to go - no shaking, no stress and no mess.

Edinburgh Cocktail Week - sad news this week but understandable, Edinburgh Cocktails Week has been cancelled, but they are working with local bars and brand partners to bring you some extra special events, pop ups and experiences.

Eteaket - on National Iced Tea Day earlier this week, the 10th June, eTeaket launched a brand new limited edition seasonal summer tea called  ‘Tropical Tease’ which is a refreshing tropical blend complete with apple, pineapple, mango, papaya, green mate & lemon grass, which can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Seven Crofts - its World Gin Day on Saturday 13th June and Seven Crofts have teamed up with Hey Palu to deliver DIY Gin kits within a 5 mile radius of Hey Palu in Edinburgh. You might still be able to get your hands on these.

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WHATS IN SEASON THIS MONTH?

Scottish Strawberries of course. Perthshire is the biggest and best area for growing our amazing big, juicy, sweet strawberries. Two of my favourite brands are Scotty Brand and Ava Berries.

Scottish Strawberries are in season from late May to October but best over the Summer.

There is so much going on in the food, drink and hospitality industry at the moment. We have some of the best produce around, and Summer brings an abundance of amazing produce with it.

And our restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes etc are all waiting in anticipation of new lockdown guidelines that will allow them to open and hopefully operate where they can still make a profit to pay their staff and bills.

In the meantime, keep adapting, smile and stay safe.

Adele x