Eat on the Green: Something rather special

Food and drink is my first love. Well, I'd say it was one of them at the very least. The ways in which food and drink impacts almost everything we do has been something I have found greatly fascinating. I love learning about the different aspects of food and drink, especially when it involves tasting, and is something I have grown very fond of over the years. Within my job (my full-time job that is) I have met a number of extremely enthusiastic, creative individuals, who are even more passionate than I am about food and drink. Let's be frank, there's only ever going to be one type of person more into their food than me, and that ladies and gentlemen is a chef.

I first met Craig Wilson (the Kilted Chef) and his team at the Eat on the Green a few years back, working on an exclusive event with some famous faces from the TV show, Emmerdale. The two AA rosette Scottish restaurant situated in the idyllic village of Udny Green, is a decadent wee place, awaiting to welcome and spoil guests with some of the finest Scottish cuisine Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has to offer.

Bumping into Craig and his team recently, I was kindly invited out to the restaurant one wintry Thursday evening to sample some new Laurent Perrier champagne they were launching for the exquisite champagne lounge. This event was set out to be something rather special indeed. Although the phenomenal showcase of Scottish cuisine was oh so divine, the underlying charitable message, and the launch of the Festival of Hope (#ropeofhope) was the real reason we had gathered in Udny Green that frosty night.

Restaurant manager, Craig Rochester and myself

On arrival to the restaurant we were serenaded with seductive sounds from the bagpipes, bellowing beautifully out over the open green. In front of the restaurant, two large flames roared ferociously, and beside them stood a familiar friendly face, The Kilted Chef, greeting us with that cheshire smile we are all so familiar with.

Ushered into the restaurant out of the cold the fabulous (and when I say fabulous, I mean fabulous) duo, Craig Rochester and Craig Profeit, greeted my guest and I with a glass of ice cold champagne. The new range of Laurent Perrier was smooth, full of bubbles (without being overwhelmingly fizzy), and very refreshing on the palette. It seemed that I would be been dancing with the champagne devil that night, signing over my soul to the famous Laurent Perrier. Well, just for the evening that was.

Readers note: Just to keep you up to speed, there's three Craig's at Eat on the Green. You get used to it, I promise!

Next to meet my lips was an array of small handcrafted balls of love (homemade haggis balls guys, come on...), and a number of other carefully sculpted canapes, all delicately created by the restaurants five-star chefs. Good food is at the heart of everything Eat on the Green stands for, and the team works tirelessly to deliver something truly rather special.

As an added extra to the event, Craig and his gorgeous wife Lindsay invited along two very dear friends of theirs; Scottish artist and fashion designer, Iona Crawford, and Scottish artist, Gerrard M Burns, who both displayed some spectacularly stunning work throughout the restaurant. On the evening, Lindsay sported a smashingly sensational dress featuring a elegant print of the famous Kelpies, designed by Iona herself. Sadly I didn't manage to capture any photos of her in the unique gown, but trust me when I tell you, the dress was like nothing I had seen before. Wow-factor indeed.

The Festival of Hope...
This year, Eat on the Green launched its Festival of Hope featuring the #ropeofhope initiative in partnership with Friends of ANCHOR. The charity, which was set up to directly support the ANCHOR unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, helps make the North-east of Scotland's cancer and haemotology care be the best it can. The unit cares and treats patients with all forms of cancer, leukaemia, and benign blood disorders, and with the support of Friends of ANCHOR, can invest in the latest medical equipment, fund leading clinicans' research in Aberdeen in the fight against cancer, and also allows them to offer additional care, comfort and support to patients during their time in the ANCHOR unit.

Cancer is something which is especially close to my heart, as well as my friends and family, and is something which has effected many people I know in a number of different ways. When a project like this comes along, it really does make me think about the true meaning of Christmas, and how important our health, and life itself is. Strength comes in many shapes and forms, so go on, do something meaningful this Christmas.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED...

(AND BE IN WITH THE CHANCE OF WINNING A MEAL AT EAT ON THE GREEN!)

Visit Eat on the Green between Wednesday and Sunday up until Christmas Day and ask the reception for a Rope of Hope.
Put a £5 donation in the gift aid envelope provided by the restaurant for Friends of ANCHOR. (One lucky donor will be selected at random from these envelopes to win a meal for two at Eat on the Green!)
You can also decorate your Rope of Hope before placing it on the Trees of Hope outside the restaurant.
When hanging your Rope of Hope on one of the Trees of Hope feel free to make a short dedication video of what you are hoping for this Christmas.
You can upload your video to your own Facebook page tagging Eat on the Green, or you can send it to them to upload.

You can also get involved by texting ROPE15 £5 to 70070

Help make a difference this Christmas....#ropeofhope