Largs is to stage the town’s first food festival on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015.

It is hoped that it will become a major attraction on the local calendar, and will whet the appetite of food and drink lovers from around Scotland, and beyond, for a weekend of festivities.

Toni Dawson, Vice Chair of Explore Largs group, and the driving force behind the festival, said: “The two day ‘Largs Food Festival’ will celebrate the best of Scottish food and drink.” She continued: “Plans are already underway to work with Largs companies and organisations plus Scotland’s leading producers within the food and drink industry.” Explore Largs will be holding an open meeting for all the food and drink businesses in town at 6pm on Monday 2 February at the Woodhouse Hotel to discuss the event and have input from all those who are interested in taking part.

Willie Wood, Chair of Explore Largs added: “We want everyone to get behind the event. It’s another important Festival to bring visitors to the town and boost trade for all the businesses in Largs, not just those in the food and drink industry.” The Largs Street Ambassadors - support staff behind the Explore Largs group - will be visiting all the Largs food and drink businesses prior to the meeting with further updates.

Speaking to the ‘News’, Toni Dawson, who owns the Sugar and Spice sweet shop, said: “We are taking over the delivery of what is hopefully going to be an annual food festival. We are hoping to build on the number of events Largs is hosting to attract visitors.

“When Taste Ayrshire had their food festival here on Largs seafront 18 months ago, there was quite a bit of concern that most of the businesses did not know much about it as there are few food and drink producers in the town, in term of manufacturers, so the plan is to expand on the format and do something under the ‘Explore Largs’ umbrella so that local businesses can get involved within the food festival, but also attract food and drink producers from around Scotland because this year is Scotland Food and Drink 2015 - so it is a fantastic year to kick this off.” Explore Largs is the promotional brand behind the Largs Business Improvement District campaign which seeks a levy from all local busineses to help improve the appearance of the town, host events including the Largs Live music festival, and helped support the recent festive weekend including the fireworks display.

It is hoped that there would be a large marquee on the seafront for the food festival which will also include cooking demonstrations on the Spring holiday weekend, similar to when the Continental Food Market takes place in the Viking Festival.