Edinburgh Seafood Festival returns on May 4-6: Cooking demos, special menus and fun for all the family
There’s something fishy going on in the capital in the first weekend in May, with chef masterclasses, cooking demos and fresh food galore.
St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s lifestyle destination, has brought its popular Edinburgh Seafood Festival back, once again in association with The Scotsman.
The menu offers up a mouth-watering three-day foodie festival for gourmands and novices alike.
Susan Hewlett, St James Quarter brand and marketing directorEdinburgh Seafood Festival offers us the opportunity to not only celebrate the ‘great taste on every level’ here, but also the wonderful abundance of seafood from around Scotland as well as supporting greater awareness of the importance of protecting our seas and coastline. Hosting the Edinburgh Seafood Festival allows guests to enjoy some of the most exciting seafood experiences, including renowned local chef demonstrations along with market stalls selling great Scottish produce, visitors can watch, learn, buy and hopefully experiment at home.
Highlights for 2024
Live cooking masterclasses on the stage: Sponsored by Cloudy Bay, the Seafood Stage is the live appearance spot, for St James Quarter chefs including Teddy Lee from Maki & Ramen, Sandy Browning from Ka Pao, Jimmy Lee from Salt & Chilli and Leith Woks and Max Terheggen from Duck & Waffle. Other chefs from around the city will also have guest spots, including Roberta Hall-McCarron from The Little Chartroom, Dan Ashmore of ASKR and Sumit from Cadiz.
Making a welcome return in 2024 is The Oysterman – not only will you see his amazing shucking skills, but he is giving away 125 free oysters on both Saturday and Sunday – watch out for times on the SJQ website and app.
Limited editions
Restaurants around St James Quarter have prepared seafood specials for one weekend only to celebrate the festival. Don’t miss these dishes!
- Maki & Ramen – Seafood ramen
- Duck & Waffle – Three curated dishes: – Loch Fyne oysters, pickled rhubarb mignonette, green jalapeño & coriander oil, chilled Shetland mussels on the half shell, aioli, and grilled cod, romesco, trombeta courgette, treviso, chili crunch
- Gordon Ramsay Street Burger – A Scottish crab and prawn roll with Marie rose sauce, gem lettuce, and tobiko, served with furikake fries
- Ka Pao – Seafood specials on menu all weekend with dishes determined by the the catch of the day
- Salerno – Tuna pizza special available for the month of May
Every day is market day
Fancy taking home some goodies? The Edinburgh Seafood Festival market is packed with delights in a series of pop up shops in beach style huts. How about macaroons from Lozzie Bakes, smoked fish from Harris and Lewis, Isle of Mull Seaweed Chutney, Seriously Dough doughnuts and even skincare from Seaweed Organics?
And while the Seafood Festival is of course celebrating foodie delights, there is family fun too with the children’s zone and Dynamic Earth who will help them learn about the underwater world and take part in activities from 10am to 3pm each day. Don’t forget the free face painting, available 11am to 3pm daily.
To keep up to date with events happening throughout the Quarter for Edinburgh Seafood Festival and beyond, visit the St James Quarter website or download the St James Quarter App.