Tuck into a fortnight of foodie delights across Inverness and Loch Ness
February 2025; Two weeks of foodie events are cooking up in the Highlands, with the Food & Drink Festival 2025 tantalising tastebuds from 22nd February until 8th March.
February 2025; Two weeks of foodie events are cooking up in the Highlands, with the Food & Drink Festival 2025 tantalising tastebuds from 22nd February until 8th March.
The festival, organised by Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), includes the return of the much-loved Highland Shortbread Showdown, Taste of Inverness event showcasing the finest local talent and ingredients, and an exclusive dinner with Masterchef finalist Sarah Rankin.
Enjoy a taste of Inverness
Among the festival highlights will be a Taste of Inverness event, taking place at Kingsmills Hotel on Saturday 1st March. There, attendees can meet local producers and sample and buy their produce. Talks will also be given by Loch Ness Ice Cream and Xoko Bakehouse, as well as cooking demonstrations by Angry Seagull and Ness Walk’s chefs. Tickets are just £5 and can be purchased here.
The event will follow the sold-out Taste of Inverness & Loch Ness Dinner on Friday 28th February. The evening will showcase the region’s exceptional food and drink heritage with menu items sourced from small scale producers of artisanal bread, fresh microgreens and herbs, premium seafood, high-quality hyper-local meats and craft beverages. Host Sarah Rankin will weave storytelling from producers throughout the meal for an immersive evening of connection and discovery.
Foodie experiences and deals
Discover what makes Inverness and Loch Ness unique by attending one of the festival’s special experiences or take advantage of exclusive discounts and deals at local restaurants, cafes and bars.
Special experiences include chocolate truffle making and drink tasting at The Lovat, and The Gabbler Anthology Event where diners will enjoy a delicious menu and evening of storytelling at The Downright Gabbler.
For further details of the events and to browse the exclusive offers available over the Food & Drink Fortnight, visit www.visitinvernesslochness.com/food-and-drink-fortnight.
Highland Shortbread Showdown
Following shortlisting events across the Highlands and beyond, the grand final of the Highland Shortbread Showdown, sponsored by Williamson Foodservice, will take place on Saturday 8th March at Eden Court, Inverness. Here, the top bakers from 11 regions will battle it out to be named Highland Shortbread Showdown Champion 2025!
Sarah Rankin will, once again, host this year’s final and judges include Jeni Iannetta from Bad Girl Bakery; KJ Gilmour from KJ’s Bothy Bakery; Paul Mackintosh from Mackenzie’s Bakery, who won the competition in 2023 and 2024; and Kelly Tadd, local foodie and content creator, better known as @haimandawa.
The public is invited along to meet the bakers, taste the shortbread for themselves and vote for the Public’s Choice winner.
For full details about the Highland Shortbread Showdown, visit www.visitinvernesslochness.com/shortbread-showdown.
Commenting on the Food & Drink Festival 2025, Emma Harrison, Destination Development Manager at Visit Inverness Loch Ness, said: “We have a jam-packed schedule of fantastic foodie events over the festival fortnight and we can’t wait to dig in! In Inverness and Loch Ness, we are spoilt for choice with so many wonderful food and drink producers, and talented chefs, bakers and hosts, so it’s great to be able to celebrate them and encourage locals and visitors to try their food and drink and support their businesses.
“The Food & Drink Festival will close with a great celebration as we crown the Highland Shortbread Showdown Champion 2025, so I’d encourage everyone to come along and vote for their favourite bakes.
“The festival is the perfect reason to visit and enjoy the vibrant food and drink scene of our stunning destination. We can’t wait to welcome you to this delicious celebration!”
For full details of all the events, visit www.visitinvernesslochness.com/food-and-drink-festival-2025.
