The slight peril of holding our event on the first Monday of the month is the propensity to run into Bank Holidays, with May and August guaranteed, and April and December also likely. Thus it was on a sunny Easter Monday that we convened at Hemma for our monthly dose of scranish jollity.

Our programme was focussed and to the point, with three main contributions.

First up was Charlotte Maberly to tell us about the Slow Food Youth Network, a global movement uniting young people committed to the ideals of Slow Food, and the Queen Margaret University Gastronomy MSc. It was inspiring stuff that clearly struck a chord with those in attendance.

Then regular saloneer Vivian Maeda updated us on the Food for Thought programme, which is now entering its third phase. She’d be delighted to hear from you if you fancy getting involved.

Tonight’s final presenter was Jon Cooper from Pekoe Tea. Having just been awarded their ethical certification, as well as opening a second shop in Stockbridge, Jon shared further good news about an Excellence Award and then gave us an insight into the wonderful world of tea with an informal tasting of the fine Duchess Grey brew he’s developed in collaboration with the Secret Herb Garden.

Resident baker Lea Harris had concocted another ground-breaking cocktail cake with pina colada as this month’s variety. It was greatly appreciated.

All that was left was for me to point people in the direction of the #scotfood chat that directly followed our event. It focussed on award-winning food and drink, in line with this month’s Year of Food & Drink theme.

Next month we take the show on the road to the Last Word Saloon in Stockbridge so we look forward to that. Full details here. We look forward to seeing y’all then.