While having a chat on Twitter about food supplies in Crail yesterday morning, this photograph was sent to our Crail Food Festival twitter account by Tom Orr (who goes by the Twitter name of @cyclingmollie). He supplied us with further detail that the milk “Proudly claimed to be from a Brucelosis and Tuberclin tested herd.  Unpasteurised, it tasted strongly of turnips in winter.”

Do you know anything of the history of the Ribbonfield Dairy, or the farmer D. Morris?

Tom also suggested that we read a book called “Footsteps in the Furrows” by Andrew Arbuckle.

When researching ideas for the 2012 Crail Food Festival by visiting the Berwick Food Festival in September, we saw an interesting exhibition there about their food history. Could this milk bottle be the beginning of a historical strand for our next event?  We’re on the look out for ideas and volunteers to put them into action. Can you help?

Contact us at: info@crailfoodfest.co.uk if you have a story to tell about this or would like to help.

One of the great things we have in our favour in planning for 2012 is that we now have photographs; people’s stories about the fun they had last year; and a track record to prove that we can bring an event together.

We’ve also got ambassadors: the people who supported and believed in us in the first year, are out there telling others what a good event it was. This is encouraging more people to sign up to take a stall for our 2012 Festival.

The other thing we’ve been doing is travelling the length and breadth of the country to visit foodie events and see what others are doing to promote their local food producers, chefs and foodies.

So Finlay’s been up to the Cawdor Food Festival, and Susan’s been to the Berwick Food Festival, Borough Market in London, Elmwood College and the East of Scotland Food and Drink Network Dinner. Graham, Susan and Ian have also been talking to other Fife Festivals about collaboration.

To find out more about these journeys, you can follow us on Facebook or tap into our Tweets.

We’re working away over the winter months, keeping in touch with the friends of the Festival and thinking about the events for our three day Festival which will be on 15th, 16th and 17th June 2012. If you’d like to make a suggestion or find out more by emailing: info@crailfoodfest.co.uk

This blog is for the benefit of visitors – but we do need more contributions to encourage visitors to visit at all times of the year, and not just when our summer Festivals are in full swing.

If you’d like to contribute, please get in touch by emailing in the first instance:

susan@2crail.com

or

giselle@altonhousecrail.com

Look forward to hearing from you.

What made you come up with the idea to start a food festival?

It was really a combination of things, a love of food, a love of events such as The Big Tent Festival and a desire to bring new and old visitors to our lovely town of Crail.

What challenges did you face in organising the Crail Food Festival?

We had big dreams and high standards so to achieve these from a standing start was hard. Our event at Crail Harbour on Sunday was particularly challenging to manage, but we did it. Sunday was so popular that we actually completely sold out of food. A victory for the Crail Food Festival and all of its wonderful producers!

What message do you think the Crail Food Festival sent out to the local community?

We’ve been successful in creating a strong brand in the name of local produce. We live in a great place that people love to visit, and where community values lie at the heart of what we do. With this sort of support in place, anything is possible.

Why do you think people should shop more locally?

There are so many reasons why people should shop locally. Not only is it better for your health, whilst supporting the local community, it’s also better for the planet. Local shops are so well resourced, but unfortunately if we don’t use them we run the risk of them disappearing.

What do you think made the festival so successful?

Lots of hard work and perseverance brought the festival to life. Our vision of people enjoying themselves at Crail Harbour in the presence of freshly caught lobster and hog roasting was realised. Seeing people fascinated as fish was smoked in front of their eyes, and smoothies were made by peddling on a bike was truly something to behold. We were also lucky to have such a number of skilled people work with us and bring their expertise to the event. And as if by magic the sun was shining!

What makes Fife produce so special?

It has to be the sheer variety of produce available in Fife. There tends to be a bit more of a focus on shellfish, but our fruit, vegetables, meat and baked goods are just as good.

Sunday’s foodie delights took place down at the harbour, which was bathed in sunshine. As I made my way down the rocky path, I could see nothing but queues for every stall, and with the fresh local produce on offer it was easy to see why. Our first stop was a visit to the Fife Diet stall, where the challenge was to pedal your own smoothie. As Rob hopped onto the bike, which had a food processor attached, I watched as the strawberries and raspberries were painstakingly whizzed up with each rotation of the wheel. The end product was arguably the most delicious smoothie I have ever tasted.

With 20 minute long queues at every stand, I had a difficult decision to make, the choice between a hog roast roll from Lucklaw Farm, and a venison burger from Fletchers of Auchtermuchty. In the end, my hunger outweighed my desire to wait, and as the queue for venison was marginally shorter, I opted to sink my teeth into prime venison on a seeded bun. It was truly delicious, and the quality of the meat was undeniable.

Although I opted for the venison, there was no shortage in terms of choice, especially when delicious seafood had been freshly plucked from the shore. With fresh lobster, crab and the famous Arbroath Smokies, even the most discerning fish lover would have found something to curb their appetite.

Even if the sun hadn’t been shining on Crail, I have no doubt that the festival would have been a success regardless. With such an array of foods on offer, and producers on hand to answer consumers’ questions, the whole event was a resounding success. I’m already looking forward to next year.

What made you decide to open your own cheese shop?

My passion for farmhouse and artisan cheese is unrivalled. Being a cheesemonger is a very interactive profession. Every day I get the opportunity to talk to people about cheese, and show them just how many cheeses there are available. When I recommend a cheese to a customer, I encourage them to taste a sample of the cheese before they buy it. This ensures that they leave with a cheese they are going to love.

Do you produce your own cheese, or do you source the products you sell?

The Guid Cheese Shop is a retailer and wholesaler. Cheese making is an entirely different profession, which requires a great deal of time and skill. It also involves a number of specialised processes, such as sourcing the highest quality milk, and allowing the optimum time for the product to mature. Knowing the products we sell have been treated to the best possible processes, using premium products, makes us proud to be sellers of such wonderful cheeses.

What methods have you used to engage the local community in promoting your business?

St Andrews is an amazing town, with a number of residents who really enjoy their food and recognise high quality products. We enjoy being a part of the local community and support local organisations, charities and student societies by donating prizes for their raffles and fundraising events. Most recently we were a sponsor of the Royal Wedding Breakfast, an event that had a massive impact on the local community. We also regularly participate in regional festivals and food events, which is why we are so happy to support the first ever Crail Food Festival.

What makes you so passionate about cheese?

It’s a truly amazing product, and so versatile. The number of cheeses that can be produced from an ingredient as simple as milk is a marvel. I never get tired of trying new cheeses, but I do have my firm favourites. What a lot of people don’t realise about cheese is that it’s actually a very healthy food. When it’s made properly, either by a farmer or an artisan cheese maker, it’s full of vitamins and minerals, whilst being a fantastic source of protein and calcium.

How did you become involved in the Crail Food Festival?

The organisers of the festival approached us to see if we would be interested and we didn’t need so much as second to think about it. It’s admirable to see someone invest so much of their precious time to organise such a worthwhile event. We believe it’s extremely important to celebrate artisan foods like this, otherwise we run the risk of being left with tasteless and unhealthy mass produced supermarket offerings.

What makes Fife produce so special?

Fife is a beautiful agricultural region that produces a lot of fresh food that we are lucky enough to enjoy. But what makes it even more special, is the passion of the people who both make and grow this exceptional produce.

[View the story "Crail Food Festival Harbour Event 19 June 2011" on Storify]

As the poster says, The Royal Burgh of Crail welcomes you.

Art lovers will like to look out for the East Neuk Open Studios 2011 – 18-19th June and 25-26th June, with 3 Crail studios participating, and of course the famous Pittenweem Arts Festival 2011 - 6th – 14th August. You must visit some of Crail’s 3 galleries, drop round to one of the The Jerdan Gallery previews (Summer in the Village on June 24 and Still Life & Stoneware on July 29), and have a wander round the Crail Pottery courtyard. Coffee with art at Julia’s and the Harbour Gallery!

If you’re a music lover, there are lots of music events during all of our festivals, including an intimate Supper Concert with King Creosote at the opening night of the Crail Food Festival 2011. If you love classical music we highly recommend the East Neuk Festival 2011, and the lunchtime concert series at the Crail Festival 2011.  Folk lovers should look out for Dougie McLean at the grand finally of the Crail Festival 2011, and the Crail Folk Club gigs (Pure Malt on June 09, 2011 and David Ferrard & Kim Edgar on June 18, 2011). New on our list is the HaarFest 11-14th August, a Fence Collective Festival in and around Anstruther and Cellardyke, that coincides nicely with the tail end of the Pittenweem Arts Festival 2011. 

If you love traditional Fairs and Gala Days and like supporting our local communities then why not stop in on the Crail Primary School Fair 11 June 2011 with the traditional crowning of the Crail Queen, or make a day of it and visit the St Monans Sea Queen 2011- Sat 11 June. Other events in the East Neuk include Anstruther Lifeboat Open Day 2011 – Sat 4 June, Pittenweem Gala 2011 Sat 25 June, the Crail Fair 2011 – Sun 17 July, Crail Lifeboat Gala Day on July 31, 2011, and The Anstruther Muster 2011- of 5th/7th August, and finally, Crail Horticultural Society – Annual Flower Show on August 20.

For gardening fans Scotland’s Garden Scheme gives you a chance to see hidden gems and helps raise money for charity – lush and sometimes tropical planting, cliff top terraces overlooking the harbour, sheltered sit-oot-eries (sp?) with Sea views to the Isle of May – the Crail tour will leave you with garden envy! An Amazing number of  Fife’s open gardens are in this area, 19 June Pittenweem, 10 July Wormistoune House Crail, 23, 24 July Crail Small Gardens, 31 July Balcaskie and Kellie Castle and 28 August Cambo House.

History Buffs should be sure to check out the Crail Museum and Heritage Centre.  ”On the Street Where You Live” will provide fascinating insight into the origin of some of the street names in Crail, and “Smugglers and Privateers” a great favorite, are this year’s exhibitions, and you can still see “Doon the Shore” George Simpson’s 1960′s photos, as well as permanent exhibitions on the Crail Golfing Society and Crail Airfield (HMS Jackdaw, HMS Bruce and JSSL).

Other interesting Community Fundraisers include the Crail Preservation Society’s Collectables Auction on June 03, 2011, and Jazz at Wormistoune on June 25, 2011, with music by George Birrell. There is a Pittenweem Gala Fundraising Quiz Night at Cocoa Tree Cafe in Pittenweem on Friday 3rd June, and a Fundraising gig in support of Anstruther’s historic halls on Thursday 2nd June 8pm with King Creosote and others – Hew Scott Hall in Anstruther Wester – tickets £5 at Waid Academy and the The Scottish Fisheries Museum.

Graham and Nikki spreading the word about Crail Food Festival

If you aren’t yet following us on Facebook, but would like to, just follow this link to Crail Food Festival’s Facebook Page.