Claire Bannerman, Vegetarian for Life’s (VfL) dedicated Roving Chef for Scotland, has reached an incredible milestone – delivering her 175th community cookery demonstration. From Glasgow to the Highlands, Claire has spent years inspiring people with her creative and nutritious plant-based recipes, tailored to older vegetarians and vegans.

From Gran’s Kitchen to a Culinary Calling

Claire’s journey to becoming a chef started in her grandmother’s kitchen. “I always wanted to work with food after learning to cook with my gran,” she recalls. Although her career began in food manufacturing, she quickly realised her passion lay in hands-on recipe development, particularly with local, seasonal ingredients. A lifelong vegetarian, Claire’s ethos revolves around making plant-based cooking both tasty and nutritious.

Claire’s connection to VfL began at a vegan festival, where she met the charity’s team. Drawn by their shared mission, she joined as Scotland’s Roving Chef, using her skills to support older adults in embracing vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

Signature Dishes and Memorable Moments

Known for her vibrant curries, Claire credits her expertise to workshops at the Ashoka Cook School and her time in Kerala, India. “I like South Indian flavours in the sauce, but I mix up the base – tofu, paneer, or mushroom and chickpea – so there’s something for everyone,” she explains.

When asked about her most memorable meal, Claire fondly recalls her first experience with vegetarian sushi. “It was a new dish and a new way of eating. We shared long benches and bento boxes. My bench mate turned out to be Richard Branson, who also opted for the bento box!”

A Focus on Nutrition and Community

Claire’s cookery sessions are designed with older adults in mind, emphasising protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and other vital nutrients. “With smaller appetites, it’s important to make every bite matter,” she says, highlighting the importance of fortification and hydration.

Her workshops are more than just cooking classes – they’re opportunities to build connections. “Food is a great icebreaker,” Claire shares. “It’s about sharing memories and creating a sense of community.”

Overcoming Challenges with Innovation

From adapting menus to suit diverse tastes to creating naturally vegan dishes, Claire embraces challenges with creativity. She’s a strong advocate for mastering tofu, calling it “super versatile.”

“Not liking tofu is like not enjoying curry,” she laughs. “You just need the right recipe.”

Looking Ahead

As demand for her cookery demonstrations grows, Claire is focused on developing sustainable menu options and ensuring they meet the nutritional needs of older adults.

“It’s an honour to help older vegetarians and vegans enjoy nutritious, delicious food,” she says. “By sharing accessible recipes, I hope to inspire others to explore plant-based cooking.”

January 2025; The Highland Shortbread Showdown is back for its third edition in 2025, with businesses from across the region and beyond being encouraged to enter their best bakes.

Entrants will follow in the footsteps of former Great British Bake Off contestant Norman Calder from Buckie, who entered the Highland Shortbread Showdown in 2023 and mentioned the popular shortbread competition on Channel 4’s The Great New Year Bake Off last week.

Businesses have until 3^rd February to register for the Highland Shortbread Showdown, and you don’t have to be a bakery or sell shortbread, so long as you have an amazing baker in your team!

The Highland Shortbread Showdown, sponsored by Williamson Foodservice, is part of Inverness and Loch Ness Food and Drink Festival, organised by Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), from 22^nd February until 8^th March.

Working with Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) from across the Highlands and Islands and some from mainland Scotland, businesses will compete at their local shortlisting event with the top three businesses from each event going through to the final at Eden Court in Inverness on 8^th March.

“The Highland Shortbread Showdown and Food and Drink Festival are great events to start 2025,” says Jo Page, Digital Engagement Manager at VILN. “The Highland Shortbread Showdown has become so popular and now bookends the foodie festival fortnight, a great reason to visit Inverness and Loch Ness in the spring!

“We would welcome any businesses with shortbread aficionados in their team to enter this year for the chance to be crowned Highland Shortbread Showdown champion 2025!”

The shortlisting events and grand final are open to the public who can taste all the shortbread for themselves and vote for the Public’s Choice Winner. There will also be a Best Flavoured Shortbread and Best Traditional Shortbread winner, as well as the overall winner.

DMOs taking part in 2025 are Visit Moray Speyside, Visit Cairngorms, Visit Nairn, Visit Dornoch, Venture North, Outdoor Capital of the UK, Skye Connect, Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Visit Arran, Visit Mull and Iona, Food from Fife and South of Scotland.

The Highland Shortbread Showdown is part of Inverness and Loch Ness Food and Drink Festival. Over the two weeks of the festival, restaurants, bars, cafes and venues across Inverness and Loch Ness will be offering a variety of deals, exclusive tastings, special packages and unique experiences. Details of the deals on offer can be found here.

Also taking place during the festival is Taste of Inverness. Held at the Kingsmills Hotel on 1^st March, the event will showcase the incredible local food and drink producers, suppliers, businesses, restaurants and experiences found in and around Inverness and Loch Ness.

To find out more about all of the events, please visit www.visitinvernesslochness.com/food-and-drink-festival-2025.

Stephen Fry is encouraging people to take 32 seconds to download BanktheFood, a free app that helps ensure food banks get what they need in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.

One in seven people in the UK are reported to be experiencing hunger, and food banks throughout the UK are distributing record numbers of emergency food parcels to those in need. The BanktheFood app takes “32 seconds” to download and instantly connects donors to their nearest food bank, providing a list of their most needed items, making it a simple yet impactful way to support the local people during a vital time of year.

Spoken-word artist Georgie Jones wrote 32 Seconds, which illustrates the positive impact of downloading an app in just a few seconds.

In the campaign’s launch video, Stephen Fry brings Jones’ words to life, making a heartfelt appeal to the public: While it may take minutes to make a cup of tea or inflate a balloon, it takes just 32 seconds to download the BanktheFood app and help those struggling to afford food.

Fry explains: “No one should have to go without essentials, and I know many people would like to help those struggling but may not always know the best way how. I hope that by supporting this campaign, more people become aware of BanktheFood and their free app that helps do good and gets people in the community supporting each other.”

Earlier this year, Trussell revealed that its network of food banks handed out 3.1 million food parcels in the past year. Shockingly, 655,000 individuals used a food bank for the first time. Families with children received 65 percent of the parcels, and the number of parcels going to pensioners significantly rose.

Emma Spring, Co-founder of BanktheFood, said: “We’re thrilled Stephen Fry has helped spread the news of the app that makes it easy to donate. With the rise in living costs, more families are relying on food banks – there has never been a more crucial time to ensure food banks are stocked with essential items. BanktheFood enables people to make targeted donations that meet specific needs. It’s about getting the right help to the right place quickly. We’re hoping the 32 Seconds campaign will inspire thousands of new donors to get involved and support their local community.”

To see 32 Seconds visit bankthefood.org and download the BanktheFood app at 

https://www.bankthefood.org/32seconds/

To amplify the message, inspire others to join the movement, and support their local communities, BanktheFood is inviting people across the UK to record their own reading of the poem and share it on social media with the hashtag #32Seconds.

Monday 23 September, 12–2pm: Hendersons 7-13 Barclay Place, EH10 4JB

Event Highlights:

• Delicious Vegan Food: Enjoy a sumptuous vegan meal for just £10.
  • Lunch Options Include:
    • Freshly made soup with a crisp, vibrant salad
    • Hearty soup paired with a delicious, handcrafted sandwich
    • Tasty sandwich served alongside a refreshing, garden-fresh salad
    • Creamy, indulgent vegan Mac ‘n’ Cheese – comfort food at its finest
  • Socialise: Meet other older vegans and vegetarians in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
  • Healthy Eating: Indulge in nutritious and health-conscious vegan cuisine.

Kim Stringer, V for Life’s Director (Scotland), commented:

“We know that loneliness can often affect older adults, however events like this lunch club help foster meaningful connections over a shared passion for good, healthy food. Our aim is to create a space where individuals can enjoy a sense of belonging, alongside wholesome meals designed with their nutritional needs in mind. It’s not just about the food – it’s about building a supportive community of like-minded people.”

Barrie Henderson Hendersons Director says;

“We value the work that VfL does and look forward to welcome new faces at our new joint lunch club. Sharing lunch and making new friends is vital and especially in cities like Edinburgh – older people can feel isolated and lonely.”

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to connect with the vegan and vegetarian community. We look forward to welcoming you to this special event!

V for Life is the UK charity working on behalf of older vegans and vegetarians. V for Life strives to be the first port of call for information, support, and advice for older vegans, vegetarians, their families, friends, and a broad range of care caterers.

https://vforlife.org.uk

The award-winning chefs at V for Life bring tailored cookery workshops directly to communities all over the UK. Whether hands-on or demo-based, their sessions are designed to suit the unique needs of each group, offering simple, nutritious recipes that anyone can master.

Claire Bannerman, V for Life’s Roving Chef (Scotland) says:

“For those unable to attend in person, we also provide virtual sessions – a lifeline for carers or those with mobility challenges. These include live demos or interactive cook-alongs, allowing participants to cook together, even from a distance.”

About Hendersons ….

Hendersons first opened in Edinburgh 1962, blazing a trail for the vegetarian and healthy-eating lifestyle.  Initially an outlet for the organic produce grown at Janet and Mac Henderson’s East Lothian farm, it expanded to a bistro bar and the popular Salad Table restaurant. This pioneering approach to dining earned Hendersons iconic status on Scotland’s food and drink scene.

Almost six decades later, in the summer of 2020, Hendersons ceased trading as a result of lockdown, much to the dismay of their long-standing customer base.

In order to preserve Janet’s legacy, her grandson Barrie Henderson opened a new restaurant in October 2021 serving wholesome vegan and vegetarian food made with fresh, organic, local and sustainable produce.

Hendersons Eat Better Live Better stands by the values that the original Hendersons also stood for, such as using locally sourced whole food and organic ingredients as much as possible.

The menu is accessible enough for everyone but also contains plenty of options for people with specific dietary requirements and we hope you will visit us soon!

Reservation Details for V for Life / Hendersons Lunch Club:

To secure your spot, book in one of the following ways and quote “lunch club 2024”:

• Phone: 0131 202 1635
• Email: hello@hendersonsrestaurant.com
• Website:hendersonsrestaurant.com

V for Life is a charity registered in England and Wales, number 1120687.

The Hawkstone Arms: A New Destination

Located amidst the picturesque scenery of the Cotswolds, The Hawkstone Arms offers more than just a pint. It’s designed to be a quintessential British pub, blending traditional charm with Clarkson’s personal touch. The establishment is named after Hawkstone Lager, a beer brewed from ingredients grown on Clarkson’s own farm. This choice highlights his dedication to farm-to-table principles, ensuring that the pub’s offerings are rooted in local production.

A New Chapter for Clarkson

Clarkson’s move into the pub business is the latest in a series of ventures that have seen him expand beyond his well-known media career. From his successful television projects to his previous forays into farming, Clarkson has continually demonstrated a knack for turning his passions into profitable enterprises. The Hawkstone Arms fits neatly into this narrative, combining his love for the countryside with his entrepreneurial spirit.

A Taste of Local Flavor

The Hawkstone Arms is more than just a place to grab a drink; it’s an experience that aims to connect patrons with the land. The pub will serve Hawkstone Lager alongside a range of other locally-sourced foods, offering visitors a taste of the Cotswolds. This approach not only supports local farmers and producers but also provides a genuine slice of rural life for guests.

Community and Future Plans

Clarkson has expressed enthusiasm for how The Hawkstone Arms will integrate into the local community. He envisions it as a hub where people can enjoy good food, great beer, and engaging conversation. The pub is also expected to host events and activities, further strengthening its role as a community gathering spot.

As Clarkson continues to develop his farm and its surrounding ventures, The Hawkstone Arms represents a significant and exciting new chapter. For locals and visitors alike, it promises to be a welcoming destination that celebrates the best of British pub culture and local produce.

Conclusion

The Hawkstone Arms stands as a testament to Jeremy Clarkson’s adventurous spirit and his dedication to celebrating and supporting local agriculture. As it opens its doors, it invites everyone to experience a taste of the Cotswolds and to share in Clarkson’s passion for fine beer and good company.