Food News – August 2011

As we all know, the world and his/her dog will descend on Edinburgh like a swarm of cultural locusts this month. That explains our Reekie-centric look at this month's culinary developments.

• Masterchef champion and food mentalist Tim Anderson is coming to Edinburgh for a beer and food dinner at the Caley Sample Room on the 15th. Tickets are going fast, such is the desire for his flat-out mental Asian-inspired cuisine, but if you do get down you'll be treated to a mammoth five-course meal. Plus six beers. All put together by that American guy off the telly. If you do go, be sure ask him if he's seen that Masterchef mash-up on YouTube, as I doubt anyone else will have mentioned it.
• Speaking of opportunities to irk TV personalities and score some grub at the same time, Tim Vine is one of the comedians appearing at Foodies Festival in Holyrood Park. The festival also features the usual mix of cookery classes, chef demos, and a range of producers to snaffle freebies from on the pretext of intending to buy something.
• For those who take their food seriously, the Edinburgh Slow Food society's annual BBQ takes place on the 11 Aug. Members and newbies alike can swap tips and advice on slowing down with your food, which given the temperamental nature of outdoor cooking and the Scottish weather could be a fitting topic.
• And for those who just want to do right by their fellow man, Fair Trade on the Fringe is once again taking over a bit of Princes Street with a huge range of ethically-sourced goodies to check out. Let's heal the world people, one chocolate bar at a time.