Food, Fun and A Cheeky Wee Flutter

There are many ways to a Team Small City girl’s heart but one of the sure fire favourites is the promise of food and drink!  Wrap this up with a day’s entertainment at the award-winning Perth Racecourse and we’re all yours. 

This year, their Scottish Food And Drink Festival is celebrating both the hugely succesful Scottish Food Fortnight, and for the first time, The Great Perthshire Picnic.  This popular two day fixture has been part Perth’s racing calendar for a number of years now and not only boasts six jump races and some of the best jockeys, trainers and horses in the business, but also plays host to Perth Farmers’ Market and a whole smorgasbord of tasty Perthshire produce.  

‘Count us in’ was the obvious response when Tracey Quinn invited us along to join in with Meetings Perthshire and their extremely busy group of delegates from South of the border who were on a whistlestop tour of Perthshire’s finest hotels and hospitality hot spots. 

Out the Scone road Holly and I headed, mindful of race day traffic and both in high spirits at the thought of a day at the races on this dry, cool September day.  Racing is a joy when the weather is fair and even though we were lucky enough to be enjoying the comfort and view from the Dewhurst Boxes (thanks Trace!) we were still keen to get out for a wander around the Grandstand and catch a view of the beautiful horses strutting proudly around the Parade Ring.

Hospitality is always a real treat at Perth Races, and we were greeted with Champagne on arrival and offered a choice of chicken liver or Mackerel Pate canapes to kick start our day of Food and Drink.  The wonderful Magda was looking after our box and her warm welcome set the tone for a tasty day ahead. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a day’s hospitality in the Nelson Stand in the past which was superb fun but the view from the Glenshee Room in Dewhurst really is second to none.  The finishing line circles glinted proudly in front of us and so close were we to the track that as we gathered outside on the balcony to cheer on our jockeys, we could practically feel the horses thunder past on their way round the course. 

Eating a sit down meal in hospitality may sound a little formal for the relaxed, vibrant atmosphere most of us like to enjoy with a day at the races but I can officially confirm that all the joy of a trackside flutter, studying the form (well, studying the quirky names and colours of jackets) and general raceday banter brought just as much fun over a table.  

Gordon Brown, the man in the know, came in to pass on a few tips for the day and after a gallop through the programme and the day’s favourite runners we were straight into our starter of Brie and Asparagus Tartlet with slow cooked tomato fondue.  The base was crumbly and moist with a soft pillow of cheese punching out lots of Scottish flavour. 

Perth Racecourse is partnered by Sodexo Prestige to deliver their food and drink and there is a passion for sourcing local and seasonal wherever possible.  We were joined at one point by Angus, the chef, who talked us through the main course and shared his passion for the produce he'd used to create that day's menu.  

Each course was punctuated with a little flutter as Anne from the Totes popped in to take bets and return winnings – of which I had none (although Holly pulled in a staggering £6.52 which had us high-fiving for the remainder of the afternoon!)

The main delivered a fillet of Scottish Salmon with steamed pak choi and a lemon grass veloute – for me, Thai / Scottish is fusion cooking at its very best and the flavours from the little ginger fishcake were superb. 

Our group of 15 were in great spirits and as the horses and jockeys started to appear for the second race, we filled the balcony, cheering on various runners as they made their way past on the second lap of Perth’s beautiful course.

Dessert of white chocolate cheesecake tempted us back to our seats, and with a colourful, red and green raspberry and pistachio topping, the five bright dishes sung out from the table like a round of pretty pictures.   It tasted every bit as good as it looked, with the nutty crunch of the topping a perfect accompaniment to the smooth, sweet cheesecake and tangy raspberry coulis.

The hospitality team kept the wine flowing and although we were both on soft drinks, the atmosphere inside our box was infectious.  I am a big believer in the power of good food and a wee drink and although we had never met any of the 13 strangers in our room before we arrived, the thrill of the racing, breaking of bread and wonderful surroundings became the ideal setting for making new friends.

Fed, watered and suitably ready for a walk through Grandstand, we made our way down to Perth Farmers Market who visit for the two days of the Food & Drink Festival.  Full though I was, I did manage to squeeze in one Sodexo’s venison doughnuts that Tim had been raving about (worth every last nice thing he had to say) before stopping off to chat to our old pal Sam Morshead who was busy signing copies of his new book. (MUCH more on that exciting story to come later in the month!).  I did decide against forcing down a Buffalo Burger though, which I must confess is normally a raceday ritual for me.

Holly collected her winnings at the tote and given that I had eaten more food instead of walking off lunch, we returned to the Dewhurst no less full than when we had left.  However, we greedily managed to sample the wee pies and sweet treats which were laid on for the final two races.   How we made it down the stairs and across the paddock to judge Best Turned Out horse I will never know!

As I type, some two hours later, I am still feeling full, happy and content. Worth every last £2 bet I lost!