BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW 2016

BBC Good Food Show Scotland 2016 kicked off in style today and we all know you can taste your way around the show with mind-blowing flavours and celebrity chefs in the super theatres and on the interview stages but what about the unsung stars that spend hours prepping all the goodies to make the show a success, the small producers who just want to share their wares with you? Well here is a quick glimpse behind the food and drink and the people you can meet and say hello at the show and you don't need a ticket to speak to these guys;

Stephen Kwan of Kwan's Kitchen

When and why was Kwan's Kitchen established?

Kwan's Chinese Restaurant was established in 1978 in Kelso and it was Stephen's desire to bring authentic restaurant quality products to the public using only natural ingredients that established Kwan's Kitchen in 2011. The full Kwan's kitchen range covers Spices, Oils and Stir Fry Kits which enable you to produce restaurant quality meals in your own home.

Why have you brought Kwan's Kitchen to the BBC Good Food Show Scotland?

We come to the BBC Good Food show because the show attracts real Foodies. The people who come to the BBC Good Food Show understand food and are passionate about it. The Scottish show also attracts really enthusiastic Glaswegians who love Salt and Pepper Chilli chips. Our Salt and Pepper Spice on chips has become a bit of a Glasgow food staple.

What has been the best moment you've had since starting the company?

In 2011 I was all ready to go to law school and we sent in our Salt and Pepper Spice to the Great Taste Awards. I had firmly decided that if we didn't win an award with the spice I'd start my law degree and then I received a call telling us that our Salt and Pepper Spice had won a 2 star Gold award at the Great Taste Awards. That was the moment that I decided to follow my food career and turn my back on studying law.  It changed everything.

Tell us something interesting about you that isn't related to Kwan's Kitchen

I used to work for Mars and in 2002 I worked with them in Tokyo to launch the Harry Potter chocolate range.

If you were to be stranded on a desert island and you were allowed to take 2 items from this show with you as a treat what would you take? (It can't be one of your products or any Ochil Fudge...)

• Equi's Sea Salted Caramel Ice Cream
• Biltong - Kangaroo

Claire Rennie of Summerhouse Drinks

When and why was Summerhouse Drinks established?

We live in a really rural area I'm always the designated driver. Well, we actually share the driving and in our house that means my husband drives to the party and I always have to drive back. I was really fed up with cheap gassy, artificial soft drinks and the lack of choice. So I went out and bought a soda stream and infused it with herbs we grew and I really enjoyed it and so did everyone else. In fact, it was that is exactly how the Mint and Misty tonic's were born.

Why have you brought Summerhouse Drinks to the BBC Good Food Show Scotland?

The customers who come to BBC Good Food Show are really interested in food and drink and they're really passionate about what they eat and drink. We don't exhibit at many shows but we always exhibit at the BBC Good Food show Scotland.  It's our showcase.

What has been the best moment you've had since starting the company?

When we created an own brand tonic for Harvey Nichols. Cucumber and Lime Tonic Water. The feedback we got from Harvey Nichols was that they really loved working with a professional artisan brand and they really loved the tonic water.

Tell us something interesting about you that isn't related to Summerhouse Drinks

I love tap dancing. I started tap dancing at the age of 15. There wasn't a class for teenagers so I joined the only alternative class at the time - so there was me and about twenty 5 year olds all in matching leotards...... My dance teacher used to shout "Claire you like like a sack of Tatties!" but I didn't care in my head I was Ginger Rogers dancing with Fred Astaire and I loved it!

If you were to be stranded on a desert island and you were allowed to take 2 items from this show with you as a treat what would you take? (It can't be one of your products or any Ochil Fudge...)

• Isle of Harris Gin - it's not only great Gin it's an amazing bottle.
• "Well, I just can't go past a sausage. And I've been told that man up there has the most fantastic bacon and cabbage sausages!" The man with the sausages turned out to be Barry John's Sausages

Maggie Bush of Summer Harvest

When and why was Summer Harvest established?

Mark left his job working in the city of London in 2008 to work with Maggie's Dad on the family farm. Mark, a man passionate about food and drink quickly realised he couldn't source the Rapeseed Oil he cooked with, whilst in London and saw a gap in the market for Scottish produced Rapeseed Oil. 

Why have you brought Summer Harvest to the BBC Good Food Show Scotland?

The customers who come to BBC Good Food Show are like us, passionate about good quality local food. They understand why we make it and care about how we make it.

What has been the best moment you've had since starting the company?

When our oil was taken on by Andrew Fairlie at 2 Michelin starred restaurant at Gleneagles. Andrew gave Mark the opportunity to work with him in his kitchen for three days. Mark loved it. Mark's biggest 'take-away' from the experience was based on the how the kitchen was organised for maximum efficiency. Mark was so impressed he actually transferred much of what he had learnt to the Summer Harvest business.

Tell us something interesting about you that isn't related to Summer Harvest

Whilst Mark works in the business full time, I work between the business and my job as a sports physiotherapist. When the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow in 2014 I managed to give some hands on treatment to Usain Bolt! 

(Note from Susan: Maggie has earned many women's respect for this alone! )

If you were to be stranded on a desert island and you were allowed to take 2 items from this show with you as a treat what would you take? (It can't be one of your products or any Ochil Fudge...)

• Summerhouse Drinks - All and any of them would be refreshing on a desert island.
• Stoats Raspberry and Honey Porridge Bar

 These are just three examples of the amazing people you can meet at The Good Food Show Scotland 2016. There is so much more to taste at the show, not just the products.  Go along and say hello - we'd all love the chance to chat.