Welcome to the Ayrshire Food Network

Newsflash

 Update . August 26th   2010

HEADLINES: 

 NEWSFLASH

AFN created quite a stir at a special lunchtime  "Meet the Producer "event held by Sodexho  at Diageo on the 23rd  August ..There was  very considerable interest  in the make up of the network ,the farmers' market  and  not the least the samples of award winning cheeses from  Clerkland farm ! ..Subsequent visitor increases to the   website  have reflected that .We  thank them for their invitation.

Another exciting  new  AFN link up is the provision of  outstanding   Fencebay seafood to  7 Degrees  West..Scotland's Premier  Catamaran Charter  see www.7degreeswest.co.uk.   We  welcome them as our newest member ...  another  innovative development from AFN

September looks as if it is going to be very busy ,with several  members  having  received individual invitations to the  exciting local food provenance event  being held when the Scottish Cabinet visit Ayrshire on the 6th September ....this  is being held during  Scottish Food Fortnight .

Also  the network have been invited to be  represented at the Unique food debate being held at the Scottish Parliament  on the 17th,as well as  being nominated  to  participate in the important EU Rural Partnership  conference being held in Edinburgh on the 23/24th .This will enable us to engage with colleagues from many european countries

Back  to the   present Fresh Seasonal  local  produce will  be  available  Saturday August 28th at  Paisley  farmers'  market  County Square    09.00-13.00 including  the strawberries , raspberries, new season beetroot and summer vegetables  +summer salads(all subject to availability ) .Also there  will be  gluten free food &  flavoursome produce  from  7 other  AFN members 

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Welcome back also to the 34th week of  2010 activities (In fact we have had over 565 visitors from 36 countries visit this web site in the last 4 weeks looking at a total of over 1570 pages information- Amazingly over 290 different keywords were used in their search for information.100+ referrals came from 49 sites .Also over 35% of visitors are clicking through on the hypertext links on the home page  ..dont miss out on the fun!)..Twitter/LinkedIn are having increasing impacts it seems, responsible for at least 3% of all visits, with 20% of visitors overall coming from referral sites rather than search engines. 5% of all visits are now coming from mobile devices Some  members have had as many a 40 click throughs ..What are you doing to generate  referrals/cross trafic to your web site  ?

These are some of the highest figures we   have experienced ,inpart  due to the new   direct link put in place  from  the http:// www.eatscotland.visitscotland.com  web site .This month dunlop Dunlop Dairy and Threepwood Fayre are featured

The Kilmarnock farmers market is relocating to the Cross on September 18th..  Check out the details at  http://www.urstv.com 

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The Ayrshire Food Network was  very well  represented  at the Ayr Flower show  by a group  led by  Dowhill,BCSH, Little Doone Foods and Threepwood Fayre  .They were  located in the Food Collonade  during  the  Show which ran  from the 6th-8th August. see www.ayrflowershow.org.   Literally  hundreds of visitors  were received ,given information and  enjoyed tastings  before buying  the excellent local produce .The smoked salmon  sold out completely !!!

- The   2010  AFN leaflets  with maps were  delivered to us during the Spring  .We have  delivered  over 13000 so far to members .Additional deliveries will, be made this month  .  please call 07765 606848 if you can collect from Fenwick  area . We  have implemented   wider distibution options  user  3rd party providers for the remainder of the season,with leaflets going into 144 sites managed by Direct Distribution Ltd  

Burns Country Smokehouse  has  launched its new web site with  On line sales capability Check out www.burnsmoke.com

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AFN members have been in the news  during the  last 60 days  .The BBC interviewed  live on the 24th june    Susan Crothswhaite  of Cosses  Country House  and  www.blogsouthernscotland.com   at the  Royal Highland Show   on the merits of  south west of Scotland  food and  other activities .. Susan was giving  a cookery demonstration using some  of her  very fresh flavoursome   ingredients  including  garden cabbages.

Catrine   House   were   featured on   a BBC  news  & internet report today Monday  28th June  as an exemplar of farm diversification, with  their  ice cream   and  farm shop /restaurant  venture ,recently expanded  and also now  licensed !  well worth  avisit  www.ayrshireicecream.co.uk

Local correspondents report that there were  very extensive queues  to buy  a Pinewood   supplied  burger  at the Prestwick promenade Jubilee event on Saturday  26th June  !.The event blessed  by wonderful weather  attracted  several   thousand   people ,many of whom were fortunate to have  booked  for one of  the celebratory  meals  at the Parkstone hotel.

 On  Monday  14th  June  Fencebay  coordinated skillfully  the provision of Ayrshire food network local  food  at the special event held at the Maritime Museum,Irvine attended by the  Scottish Minister  for Culture ..the event was  considered overall  a great success ..we are pleased to have played our part 

 

We enjoyed  the Celebrate  Ayrshire event  at Culzean  on Sunday 13th  June  ..despite the early  rain! ...with 8 members and coporate  supporters attending .

 New  dining club  launched  at Burns  Country Smokehouse   in conjunction with  Carrick  Wines   (see  events opposite)  ..the most recent  date  was   July 2nd

We  are delighted  to announce  two new members  of the Network :Glenapp Castle from Ballantrae  and  V Cuisine  from  West Kilbride .We  very  warmly welcome  them   ..   More details  to  follow ,meanwhile  you can check out www.glenappcastle.com.  and www.vcuisine.biz

Jambo Jambo opened   16th  May  a new joint venture   named  The Velvet Apple  in Troon at 20 Portland Street..This exciting new project  combines an   innovative new  format  of cook shop/ 36 seater cafe and deli .It is proving very popular  with  a great atmosphere  and knowledgeable  staff  plus  product sourcing  and fresh produce  included  from  several AFN members  and other Ayrshire suppliers .  Contact Clair  Barbour on 01292   313222  Opening hours 09.00-17.00 monday to saturday ;  11.00-16.00  sunday.Watch out for  forthcoming  on line   details  at  www.velvetineapple.co.uk

 We are continuing to follow through  from http://www.visitscotlandexpo.com  at the SECC Glasgow  14-15th April  with an opportunity to present to Visit Scotland  international/national   business development staff  on June 29th  in Edinburgh .... This reflected the fact it was a very international   two days  with meetings pre- scheduled  with buyers  from India,France,Mexico,Canada, Hungary  and  Norway, plus  impromptu  stand visits from  60 other  organisations  /journalists / agency  officials and  exhibitors  coming to meet us  together with our partners from  the Ayrshire Hoteliers Association and  the Ayrshire and Arran  tourism business communities .

The follow ups  are producing  some  interesting  enquiries  about  future collaborative  area/regional  food  tourism activity  for 2010/11 and beyond .

We are able to announce  that the  lucky winner  from the  show of the Balmoral  /AFN  apron  is   the marketing manager of the Majestic Line  from Edinburgh . See www.themajesticline.co.uk

-AFN has been featured as the UK exemplar of  entrepreneurship and innovation in a new OECD  study  published  from  Germany !More  info and directing links to follow. 

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-Ayrshire   Food Network members at Kilmarnock Farmers  market  20th March  +interviews at  http://www.urstv.com  . 

the potential  of  You Tube  is immense ..watch the impact unfold  at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ggocEjyKes     Blair House at its best

-Dunlop Dairy and the location of  the  Ayrshire farmers' market  in KiImarnock are  featured on a video made at the ECO FAYRE in Dean Castle  .Check out   http://urstv.com/

-The Ayrshire  Food Network AFN  develops further on Facebook. Please  contribute  at  www.facebook.com/home.php#!/?sk=2361831622   82 photos  and a  2 minute video capture our ongoing development.You will need to sign in or register  to view  the  gallery  

-The Ayrshire Food network  attended /exhibited  at  Visit Scotland Expo at the SECC Glasgow on the 14th-15th April .see 

  http://www.visitscotlandexpo.com/exhibiting/exhibiting_companies/693/

-Our presence was  led/funded by  a group of  12  visitor facing  AFN  members, in conjunction with the 3 unitary authorities.We had  a designated  area on the  exciting  enlarged  Ayrshire and Arran stand.We  used our Video 3 virtual working facility for  post event  link ups with international  buyers .  A  dedicated plasma  screen  showed  a continuous  looped  presentation of approximately 18  AFN related  composite images including several   photos taken a the Dalduff event. Copies are  now  available . Contact info@ayrshirefoodnetwork.co.uk to receive your  e copy

-We are also researching/developing   a  proposal  to  use   a special food tourism tour coach  for AFN members and their guests  from this  month    operated by Thistle coaches .Watch this space !  Contact  howard.wilkinson2@btinternet.com  if you are interested to use this service

-The New 2010  bedroom pack  leaflet and separate map  is available  for download  from  the  introductory section  (see  just above here  ) .This shows the  full range  of members,the descriptors of each establishment -written  by the invividual  owners and their full contact details  together with web sites .The map is available as a separate  download .

-The  2010-11 Landmark Press  visitor guide has been published   and features photographs of 4 member businesses on the  first 3 pages ,plus our logo on the  map, we being the  only private sector partner to be  featured .. 8 members have also taken  adverts in the  new  guide which is very professionally  presented ..the guides are  being placed in  circa 2500  rooms  in hospitality establishments.  

--Looking for an unusual place  to eat a light meal this  Sunday?  Try Fenwick Fine Foods .  now open  every Sunday from  11.00-16.00. tel 01560 601105  or visit  http://www.fenwickfinefoods.co.uk

Contact   howard.wilkinson2@btinternet.com regarding  immediate   home page  vertical  banner  advertising  opportunities  for AFN members  at  attractive   monthly rates.  -see opposite .New advertisements  for The Pinewood  restaurant  appeared  from the beginning of last  quarter. We thank them for their involvement  and wish them every success

The next   market  in Ayrshire  is on   the 7th august at AYR  09.00.-13.00 -Kyle centre car park  This  particular occasion  will see the  Petrie Fine Foods with associated suppliers - bringing  vegetarian & gluten free foods ,non homogenised  milk and cream,  a full range of cows and goats cheeses,and  Bouvrage  natural juices   to the market

 .For  Scottish wide  accredited  farmers' markets visit   www.safm.co.uk

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A  recent  weekend  saw   7 members of AFN present at the Deane Castle Eco Fayre,  and  an interesting  interview was  conducted by  Moira Heron of  http://www.urstv.com on the subject of the location of the  farmers'market in Kilmarnock.

 The exciting Balvenie Whisky tasting  on the 3rd Feb   was  an amazing  event  and all those attending  were able to  experience the journey from the new make spirit to a 20+ year old  port finished   gem .We thank Andrew Forrester for his  expert yet  very user friendly  guidance  and insights.... a true  Ambassador..BCSH provided a very flavoursome  buffet  and Carrick Wines  introduced us to two of their  most  interesting  Italian wines .  Images of the  event  are now available at our Group  facebook page   (see above ) plus the Facebook pages of the International Culinary Tourism Association Conference  + Slow Food UK

 The Food Fayre  at   Alloway 1759  was  an eye opener  for many  visitors,as they experienced  flavoursome local produce  including dirty carrots!! 

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Ayrshire  Food Network/Slow Food  were  delighted to be  invited to  attend/contribute to the big environmental debate BBC 1  at  22.45 wednesday 16th December.This   was  a special  Copenhagen related programme with  Sorbie  Farm   and  the editor present .

The Ayrshire Food Network   was very pleased  also  to  support  the November  succesful Nostalgia Weekend in Troon .Cooking in the  Kitchen from Kilmaurs   provided  suitable  flavoursome nostalgic  simple hot food during  the interval  at the fantastic  In the Mood Concert ,and the  Glen  Miller Orchestra UK  was able to enjoy fayre  from  the owners of the Pinewood Restaurant ,who are providing"outside catering "  for the event

In mid December  we  were asked to present at  a consultative meeting   in the Mansefield Hotel  Elgin, Morayshire  on our experiences of setting up and maintaining a food and drink network .The event was   joint hosted by SAC and the keynote speaker was Richard Lochhead  MSP Moray ,Cabinet  Secretary  for Rural Affairs and the Environment.

His   recent  announcement  about a Scottish  initiative to boost  farmers' markets  and the local food sector during the next 3 years is  great news . Congratulations  to Douglas Watson of SAOS  on being appointed to the role of National Development Officer.The task force has its first meeting  on March 3rd  and AFN was represented..in addition we were represented at the  Scottish parliamentary  Tourism reception that evening.

 Our  business  operations meeting  was  last  thursday February  25th at the Parkstone hotel ,Prestwick  at 10.am If you are  amember and could not   attend  please e mail info@ayrshirefoodnetwork.co.uk  by return to receive a copy of the minutes.The next  operations  meeting  is scheduled  for  May 6th ,venue to be confirmed

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 The use of local food at   Homecoming and other events  continues to be   strongly encouraged .See  the  attached link   to the very useful guide  facilitated by the Tourism Innovation Group and Scotland Food and Drink   This guide has been updated for 2010. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/08145048

We are pleased to reconfirm our  that our  video  outputs  from our joint venture   project  with  Ayr based Video 3  has been published and are  viewable at http://www.video3uk.com/afn .There are  7 brief interviews with members . A  2 minute video has been uploaded to ourAFN group pages on Facebook (see link given earlier )

The  Video 3 facility  has  enabled  members of the Ayrshire Food Network  and other associated innovative tourism /food  groups to work  and meet together in  virtual environment  using the latest internet and video conferencing technology .We  hope it will prove very cost effective  as well as environmentally   sensitive .  .The facility is ready for use ,so contact the editor  to be among those  to benefit   .The facilities   have just been enhanced again since the  start of 2010 so it is even more user  and environmentally friendly to take up . We  have just used it  for  a research meeting update  and interview .

A demonstration and discussion about  the realities of  multi medi usage  was undertaken  recently  with  food tourism students from SAC Auchincruive.

 Strong  cross referrals have continued to  flow from  www.stewarton.com .Thanks. to our colleagues there

 Homecoming  Scotland 2010  presents us with  very significant  opportunities  relating to the Burns 251st  anniversary and   culinary tourism in general ..see www.homecomingscotland2009.com   see also  www.comebacktoayrshire.com  for information on Alloway 1759 held  on the 24th January and other opportunities

www.nethergatelarder.co.uk or Nethergate  also launched   in December   a  very flavoursome  new cooked products range and a series of attractive hamper offerings . Usage  of their products  and  its reputation continue  to be  climb

Congratulations to Cosses  Country House and Langside Farm  for   both winning the coveted "Gold Award"  under the Visit Scotland   Quality Assurance Scheme ...Accolades  well deserved .see www.cossescountryhouse.com and www.langsidefarm..co.uk

 The exciting  new Woodlands hotel   continues its development  and activity offerings...see  www.woodlandfarm.co.uk 

The  Terra Madre day event  in conjunction with Petrie Fine foods-Christmas  puddings  ,held on December 10th ... listed at www.terramadre.org   The Saltire Convivium is likely to be featured  in the  spring   2010  Slow Food Newsletter

The  Pinewood restaurant   in Prestwick is   continuing to create an impact locally   ..check out   www.thepinewood.co.uk  They  have recently gained also  the formal  dining  Eat Scotland  certifiicate  and  are   contunuing to link up with other AFN members  ...watch this space.A new menu was launched on   February  11th  and they are starting  to have wine  supplied  by  Corney & Barrow  Whighams another  innovative   member of the network ..Their new  3rd generation web site is  very engaging  ..see www.corneyandbarrow.com

 Our Congratulations.. the  restaurant  is well worth  a visit with flavoursome   innovative food , knowledgeable staff, excellent service, an intimate atmosphere, and  very good value for money .  You can certainly link into their blog to keep up to date

also  Divine Inspirations in Kilmaurs  at  www.lovedivineinspirations.com  who provided complimentary  confection favours for guests at Dalduff, and whose business by all accounts is growing  very well.

William  Grant and Son ltd  have a very  exciting web site at  www.williamgrant.com.

We thank them  all for their recent  involvement and look forward to their  participative influences

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  South  Ayrshire   Council  along with  visit Scotland and  Cooperative Development Scotland  hosted  a Collaboration for Growth   conference on  Feb 18th  at the Western  house hotel in Ayr . The event was free of charge to attend .To register for the  outputs of  the  event  e mail  bgatewayayrshire@go.uk.com  or call 01292 284839

SSMI (South of Scotland Marketing Initiative ) held a very insightful  internet/social media related workshop at  the Woodland  Bay hotel on  Wednesday the 20th of january .Contact 01465 831363  for more details   of outcomes .Their next  meeting was   on March 10th ...check out www.holidaysouthernscotland.com

  The Ayrshire Food network were delighted to support the Alloway 1759  event  organised by  South Ayrshire  Council  on Sunday 24th January  at the Burns Heritage centre in Alloway.review more details   at www.comebacktoayrshire.com   or in the local press reports

Glasgow Caledonian Sustainable Enterprise unit  hosted   a special  free of charge event to which all AFN were  invited at the  Parkstone Hotel in Prestwick   27th January  between 12.00 and 14.30 ,looking at the opportunities to measure and thereafter  cut costs by  reducing your  business Carbon Footprint . To follow up  please contact   paulo.cruz@gcal.ac.uk

 The  Slow Food/AFN  Balvenie Whisky tasting  was held on Feb :3rd 2010-the  venue being     Burns Country Smokehouse Minishant  ( see brief report  above  ) .check out their food offerings at www.burnsmoke.com.  prices were set at £10 per ticket to include  a tutored tasting  featuring some   local food and  whisky matching ,followed by  a light buffet  accompanied by wines supplied by our newest AFN member  Carrick Wines .Numbers were  restricted to   a maximum of  20 participants 

We are about to  complete    in conjunction with the Scottish Agricultural College a trial   customer  service research  project  involving   AFN  members and their customers ..we look forward to your involvement and support . Questionnaires  using the Freepost facility  should  have been   sent back  by March  12th  !  please complete and post if the survey is still in your in tray .. thanks .Initial results awaited at May 6th meeting

We also participated on Monday 25th january  in the  very important branding  exercise for Ayrshire  which has started i conjunction with ACCI and Visit Scotland .More outcomes due at May 5th  ACTF meeting

Confirmation is awaited  regarding  a special  feature on Ayrshire , as  a weekend  destination....it  is scheduled for   potential publication in the next  edition of a  leading UK  lifestyle magazine.?

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Several AFN members  participated  in the Eco fayre  at Deane Castle ,Courtyard ,Kilmarnock  on  March 7th  timing 11.00-15.00.. For directions  check out the web site   at www.deancastle.com   .. .  over 550 eco  wise adults and children attended the event ..watch out for  press photographs

Congratulations to Fins  see www.fencebay.co.uk on being runners up  for the Taste of Scotland  Thistle award on the  23rd October...Check  out   the Fencebay  new enhanced mail order service, which was launched on   December 1st

Congratulations  also to our colleagues at www.holidaysouthernscotland.co.uk  for the ongoing  development   of this exciting  new   tourism initiative to which AFN has become formally associated.Their blog and use of  new social media  is  invitingly  interractive .

  The  annual AFN/ Slow food /SSMI event held   on October 27th. continues to  win praise.  It .was an  excellent  local food event , .Congratulations to James Mcfadzean  for hosting such an innovative and enjoyable event .The Dalduff barn is certainly  a  flexible  stylish  venue see www.dalduff.co.uk     

 BBC  Good  Food Show  Scotland . saw considerable AFN  activity  with   www.jambojambo.co.uk ; www.littledoone.co.uk; www.theepwoodfayre.com and www.kellyturkeys.com   present    More than  22,000 people attended  spending on average £88 excluding  entry charges ..no wonder the  exhibitors were in the ,main pleased with the results !!.Several from this group were also at the  well attended  Camping and Caravan Show  again held at the SECC .Plans will soon be announced for the 2010 show  with innovative regional food   group arrangements facilitated by Scotland Food and Drink

In addition www.taste-of-arran.co.uk  had an impressive  collective stand  at the BBC show .They ran their excellent on line  mail order Christmas  campaign.. allowing  customers  take advantage of the  inviting offers  on their web site

As we gear up fully   for the  2010  opportunities  ,it is clear  people will  looking  for authentic & interesting food and drink offerings  to eat  ,and as presents ..Little Doone Foods  has  had  a great  reception  also  from the Trade  at the  recent Speciality Food show  .  see www.LittleDoone.co.uk

Good luck with   your   late Summer    trading . 

Please recommend one another to your customers and  encourage visitors  & use this site : also to advise /post  your   latest news and forthcoming  events. (see opposite )

thanks.

Happy     late August  trading  

Howard Wilkinson 

Chairperson- August 26th  2010