Brass Neck spices up rum market

A GROUP of entrepreneurs is spicing up Scotland’s rum market with the launch of its first batch. Brass Neck’s spiced rum features Scottish botanicals including nettle and milk thistle. Freddy Drucquer and Dougie Jeffries – who created the rum with business partner Chris Dowdall, owner of brand agency The Bakers Dozen – also selected orange…

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Coffee roaster’s green credentials

A GLASGOW coffee roaster hopes to be named as a supplier to the United Nations’ climate change conference after joining the B Corp ethical accreditation scheme. Dear Green has its sights set on winning a contract for the COP26 conference, which takes place in Glasgow in November. “If this doesn’t put Dear Green on the…

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Street Soccer nets £600 from East Coast Cured

LEITH charcuterie producer East Coast Cured has rasied £600 for Street Soccer by auctioning its final ten hampers. The company has seen a surge in orders during the past year. Before the pandemic restrictions were imposed, 70% of its sales were to restaurants, with the remaining 30% going straight to consumers. Now, consumers sales account…

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Foraging guides and films launched

A SERIES of guides and films to encourage increased responsible foraging in Scotland has been launched following the Foraging Fortnight project. There are guides to foraging for wild food, guides aimed at children, and guides translated into Gaelic. The videos feature highlights from Moray, Forth Valley and Lomond, Lanarkshire, Orkney, and Fife. The resources have…

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Gizzi Erskine: ‘Soil can be sexy’

CHEF and food writer Gizzi Erskine teamed up with dairy farm Yeo Valley to mark World Soil Day on Saturday. Data released by the United Nations showed that the equivalent of one football field of soil is eroded every five seconds across the world. Yeo Valley invited Erskine to its organic farm to shine “the…

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South of Scotland launches virtual advent calendar

SCOTLAND Starts Here, a campaign to promote businesses in the South of Scotland, has launched a virtual advent calendar. Behind each of the 24 windows, Christmas shoppers can find an exclusive experience, gift or treasure, only available from the website. The range of gifts available includes food and drink experiences, sport and outdoor activities, and…

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Kids told to play with their food

TATTIE supplier Scotty Brand is launching a mash potato art competition – and has created some spud-tacular examples. Scottish sculptor Natasha Phoenix has sculptured Prime Minister Boris Johnson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon from mashed potato. Her nine-year-old twin girls, Hope and Talia Phoenix-Hill, also created tattie versions of Minnie the Minx from the Beano…

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Drinks maker grasps the nettle to extend range

A DRINKS business that was launched during lockdown has teamed up with Scotland’s Rural College to turn nettles into a “healthy shot”. Hugo Morrissey, founder of Edinburgh-based Nuisance Drinks, released a sparkling nettle pressé earlier this year. Now, he’s working with development chef Mark Barker in the college’s SAC Consulting test kitchen to extend his…

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Perth curry maker expands team of chefs

DEMAND for restauranteur Praveen Kumar’s frozen curries has soared during the pandemic. The Perthshire-based entrepreneur launched Praveen Kumar Authentic Indian Cuisine in April 2019 and has expanded his workforce to 18 people to cope with the demand. His curries are being delivered throughout the UK and two of his dishes – kodi koora and butter…

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Scottish brands offer ‘Sober October’ serving suggestions

A PAIR of Scottish brands has teamed up to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support during Sober October. Rapscallion Soda and alcohol-free “spirit” maker Feragaia will each donate £1 for each online sale made from Monday until the end of the month. Gregor Leckie, founder of Rapscallion Soda, said: “It’s always been our mission to…

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