Edinburgh Food Festival

I got an e-mail from my buddy Andy Williamson (third from left, above), which I copy, below.

If you're going to Edinburgh next month, you have to check this out.

**** Announcing the Edinburgh Food Festival ****

Flat Five Records* in partnership with The Pleasance, is mightily proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Edinburgh Food Festival. It happens at the same time as Edinburgh's clutch of other events which altogether truly make it the world's festival city. Think of us as the parmesan on the pasta, or the salt around the margarita glass; the unnecessary ingredient whose presence instantly becomes an essential part of the whole.

We're going to be celebrating great, simple, honest, home cooked Soul Food,with Momma Cherri from Brighton, serving her famous Jerk Chicken, Spicy Wings, BBQ Ribs, Slaw and Catfish and all-day Southern-style breakfast in the Pleasance Dome from 2 - 28th August. Soul in a Bowl prices start from£3.

At 11.30 every morning, in Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch in the Ace Dome, she'll be talking about Soul Food in her own infectious style; demonstrating how to cook a Jambalaya, and even singing some Soul and Gospel music along the way. (Tickets from Pleasance or Fringe Box Offices).

Outside in Bristo Square alongside the Underbelly's "pasture", there's a Festival Fresh Food Market, where local producers will be selling their wares for you to take home and cook, or take down to the meadows for a picnic.

Food is a social thing, and often the catalyst which brings people together,whether as families, friends or strangers. We will be oiling those wheels by organising conversation cafes, where anyone can join the conversation just to see where it goes. Our poet-in-residence, Leon Conrad, will also be around, instigating intimate encounters of many kinds. He'll be using poetry in the broadest sense to create a space for people to feed their soul as well as their body. He'll host activities for children (7+) and games for all ages. On 11 August, we welcome Edinburgh's Slow Food convivium for a Slow Soul Food lunch.

After midnight, there's live jazz and soul music until the early hours with some of the finest performers around. We have the finest DJ on the planet in Dr Marrese whose infectious aura guarantees a constant smile on your face and love in your heart. His sidekick Count Spectacula will be on hand to take care of any funny business.

We hope in future years to expand to include other venues, shops and restaurants all over the city, whose ideals are in tune with ours, and welcome approaches from anyone who'd like to join us in celebrating good victuals. Our organisation is miniscule, with a singular number of people to deal with enquiries from press and public alike, so please be patient if I'm unable to respond immediately.

Yours

Andy Williamson

Andy Williamson, Director, tel: 07980 680052

The Edinburgh Food Festival at The Pleasance, 5-28 August 2006

Momma Cherri's Soul Food Shack, Fresh Food Market and more.

Map: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?pc=eh89al

Info: http://www.edinburghfoodfestival.com