Cooking demo & Meet Gary Maclean, Scotland's National Chef
Born in Glasgow, award-winning chef Gary Maclean has spent 35 years at the forefront of Scotland’s vibrant hospitality industry, overseeing the launch and development of more than 80 venues across the country. In recognition of his passion and achievements, the Scottish Government appointed him as Scotland’s National Chef, a role he embraces wholeheartedly, promoting Scottish food, health, and education at home and around the world.
Gary’s reputation as a culinary ambassador has taken him across the globe. He has headlined major Highland Games in Scotland, Chicago, New England, Alaska, and at the world-renowned Maxville Highland Games in Canada. His dynamic presence has also made him a sought-after star at international food festivals throughout the Middle East, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Armenia, where he showcases the best of Scottish cuisine on a global stage.
Tickets available at the BUY TICKETS button above. Advance purchase only and requires the purchase of admission to the festival.
Saturday - 10:30, 1:30, and 4:00Sunday - 1:30, and 4:00
A passionate advocate for culinary education, Gary has served the City of Glasgow College for over 25 years and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde. His commitment to teaching and mentorship has earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Scotland Colleges Hall of Fame, fellowships with the Master Chefs of Great Britain and the International Institute of Hospitality Management India, and awards such as Educator of the Year from the Craft Guild of Chefs and Chef Lecturer of the Year from the CiS Awards. Further recognition followed in 2021 with the Mark Twain Award from the St. Andrews Society of New York State and the Best Industry Ambassador Award from the Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE) in 2023. In April 2025, Gary was made an Academician of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, one of the greatest honours that can be earned in Hospitality.
Gary became a household name after winning BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016, triumphing over 47 of the UK’s finest professional chefs. Since then, he has become a seasoned television and radio presenter, hosting popular shows like BBC Landward and Corner Shop Cook-Off, and appearing regularly on major networks in the UK and the USA.
In addition to his media work, Gary is a celebrated author, with several books to his name, including Kitchen Essentials: The Joy of Home Cooking, Gary Maclean’s Scottish Kitchen, Great FE Teaching, and his latest title, Scottish Celebrations, released in 2023. His cookbook The Scottish Kitchen was launched in North America through Penguin Random House in the same year.
An entrepreneur at heart, Gary also owns two popular Edinburgh-based businesses: Creel Caught, a sustainable seafood restaurant, and Soup & Caboodle, a Scottish deli focused on traditional flavours with a modern twist.
With his trademark passion, creativity, and charisma, Gary Maclean continues to inspire audiences across the world, proudly flying the flag for Scotland’s rich culinary heritage.
2024 Whisky Tasting (2025 Coming Soon)
Join Jared Card, ImpEx Beverages, at our whisky tastings. Tickets available at the BUY TICKETS button above. Advance purchase only and requires the purchase of admission to the festival.
Saturday - 12:30, 1:30, 3:00, and 4:00
Sunday - 12:30, 1:30, and 3:00
All participants must be 21 years or older.
Each tasting will feature five of the following:
- Lochlea "Our Barley"
- GlenAllachie 12yr old
- Ardnamurchan AD
- Isle of Raasay
- Machir Bay
- Penderyn Madeirara
2024 Gin Tastings (2025 Coming Soon)
Join the Scottish American Women's Society for our first ever gin tastings. Gins come from women owned distilleries or those with a woman master distiller. Tickets available at the BUY TICKETS button above. Advance purchase only and requires the purchase of admission to the festival. Saturday - 12:30 and 3:00Sunday - 12:30 and 3:00 All participants must be 21 years or older.
Each tasting will feature the following:
- Arbikie's Nadar Gin (first climate positive gin made from peas)
- The Herb Garden's Lemon Verbena & Juniper Gin
- The Herb Garden's Pink Elderflower, Jasmine, & Juniper Gin
- Hendrick's Gin (cucumber & rose)
- Hendrick's Orbium Gin (quinine, wormwood, and blue lotus blossom)
