Largs Food Fest delivered a whole feast of the very best food, fun and entertainment on a busy weekend on the esplanade, and say they offered good value for money for the £4 admission fee.

Despite appalling weather on Saturday; with monsoon style rain, thunder and lightning, the event attracted thousands of visitors, all hungry to sample the very best of Scotland’s whisky.

A spokeswoman for the Largs Food Fest said: "In return there were 44 stalls of the best food and drink produced in Scotland, free sampling, five free cookery demonstrations given by the country’s leading chefs, free hourly talks and sampling sessions on wine, whisky, gin, cocktails and more, free children’s shows, free face painting and balloon modelling for children, six free bands and musicians each day at the Largs Live marquee, free entry into the Food Trail and all the expert advice you could possible want.

"Not bad when you think you get all that for less than the cost of a bottle of wine. And, children had free entry too!"

There was an excellent variety of dishes, drinks, local, national and international cuisine, and it was all in the best possible taste!

Local fishmonger’s C Fayre, in Aitken Street, couldn’t believe how successful the event had been for them.

Owner John Watson said: “Last year we sold just two cases of pickled herrings, this year we sold all eight cases well before the event had ended. We also changed people’s perception of fish, the samples made many buy our products for the first time.”

“The whole atmosphere was beneficial, with Cook School Scotland demonstrating a fish dish as well as showing how to fillet a fish. Of course we can do this for people too, but it’s always good to have things demonstrated by the professionals.”

The Best Fruit Company were also delighted that the event brought new people into Largs to buy their fresh produce at the Festival: “It was good for us as we were busy at the shop in Tron Place and at the festival too.”