Scottish Food News – May 2016

We start this month with a chance to pick the brains of the folk behind Thistly Cross cider at a meet-the-brewer event at Innis and Gunn's Beer Kitchen in Edinburgh. Make some new cider pals, find out a bit about the fine art of cider-making, and do your best to discover how Thistly Cross turn regular apples into full-power party fuel (or so we've heard). 5 May, 6pm, 81 Lothian Rd; thebeerkitchen.co.uk

Meanwhile in Glasgow, the CCA present two dramatically different – but equally intriguing – food events. The first, From the Andes with Love, celebrates the Andean origins of the spud with a potato-led three-course meal and a talk on migratory movements and cultural fusion. 7 May, 7pm; at Milk Cafe, Victoria Road; book via cca.org.uk 

Also at the CCA, Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau documents the effects of the white stuff (sugar that is, not cocaine) on the human body in That Sugar Film. Gameau tackles the prevalence of sugar in everyday food, and broaches the somewhat uncomfortable truth that even when we try to eat a healthy diet, we're fighting an uphill battle. And the hill is made of sugar. 10 May, 6.30pm; free, ticketed.

The CCA also have a hand in Ricefield's Chinese Dumpling Night at the Glad Cafe this month. As someone who loves all kinds of dumplings, but has the kitchen finesse of a goose with two cricket bats strapped to its wings, this author can wholeheartedly recommend this evening of storytelling, history and cooking. Learn about the traditions that go into your favourite recipes and give it all a try in the company of people who genuinely know what they're doing. 12 May, 7.30pm; 1006A Pollokshaws Rd; £8, book via thegladcafe.co.uk

Later in the month, the inaugural Restless Natives festival in the East End sees the welcome return of Kiltr's Street Feastival. Bringing together a collection of foodie pop-ups for the weekend alongside DJs and stallholders at one of the main hubs of Restless Natives, the Feastival should be the perfect place to grab some local grub between bands, or bemoan the fact that the man from Fugazi never got round to answering your question at his Q&A. 14-15 May, Collective Studios, East Campbell St; restlessnativesfestival.org/

Over in Edinburgh, Summerhall's Beer Festival returns for its third summer outing. Expect fest-only beers from Barney's, Williams and Six Degrees North, a cocktail bar if you don't fancy a beer, loads of great food from a selection of the city's best pop-ups and food trucks, and even some live music thrown into the bargain. 20 May, 5.30pm-midnight, 21 May, noon-5pm & 6pm-midnight; 1 Summerhall Pl; £5, summerhall.co.uk

Also returning this month is the Pint of Science festival, providing an opportunity to slink off to the pub and come back with a head full of exciting information. The UK-wide fest features events at a host of venues across Edinburgh and Glasgow, and we're particularly taken with two events; Schrodinger's Pint at Drygate in Glasgow, combining intellectual comedy, quantum physics and lovely beers with delightfully pithy label art; and Brain Plus Technology at Edinburgh's City Cafe which features the chance to meet terrifying artificial intelligences and mind-controlled prosthetics, with a lovely pint to take the edge off your tech-horror. 23-25 May, full programme at pintofscience.co.uk