British weather strikes as Taste of Edinburgh called off

Despite making it through the rain in London and Dublin, this year’s Taste Festival in Edinburgh has been called off due to the challenging weather conditions which persisted over the course of last week, and because of the particularly heavy rainfall which fell over the course of Friday and Saturday – where a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours.

The festival had been on course to run over from the 6th-8th July at the Meadows in Edinburgh, where it was hoped that visitors could enjoy three days of fine dining, summertime eating, drinking and entertainment.

Featuring signature dishes from the best restaurants and chefs from across the UK, while also boasting a line-up of innovative and interactive programmes on cooking and eating, previous Taste of Edinburgh festivals have have been fantastic successes, and as many as 30,000 visitors were expected to attend this year.

With a number of Culinary greats set to congregate at Taste of Edinburgh, including Jason Atherton, Vivek Singh and “The Fabulous” Baker Brothers; it is no wonder that organisers have said they felt “devastated” at having to cancel the festival.

However, despite the disappointment, it is important to remember that at its heart, Taste of Edinburgh was about showcasing the variety and quality of local produce. Taste Festival managing director Justin Clarke says: “Scotland has one of the most outstanding natural larders in the world. With such great ingredients and produce available right on our doorstep, it’s not surprising that it’s home to some of the most extraordinary restaurants in the UK.”

One of the greatest attractions of Taste Festivals is that anyone who loves food and drink can choose what they want to do. They can just eat and drink; they can go and learn; discover, try and buy; they can socialise; meet friends and generally have a relaxed time. The festivals have continually brought foodie lovers together since the inaugural Taste of London Festival in 2004, and so here’s to hoping next year’s festival can enjoy a summer of sunny weather!

Images from the Taste of Edinburgh Website and ewanmcdowall (Flickr)