Chef Dean Banks shares his love for Dundee ahead of the food festival Achi-News

His first trip to Dundee city came late last year, with the success of Temple Lane already proving that the city is hungry (or thirsty) for independent venues that prioritize local producers and high quality ingredients.

Pictured: Chef Dean Banks is one of many taking part in this year’s Dundee Food Festival (Image: Supplied)

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“People seem to think of Dundee as a city of pies, pies and more pies,” he said ahead of the launch of the food festival on Saturday, July 6.

“Don’t get me wrong, they do a good pie and I love taking the time to sit and eat one in the Square.

“But it means Dundee isn’t really known as a foodie destination like Glasgow or Edinburgh.”

This may have been the case before, but the tide is slowly turning for Dundee as attractions such as the V&A museum and an increasingly vibrant program of cultural events continue to draw visitors away from the central strip.

And while the past few years have been far from easy for the hospitality industry, Banks says there are positives to be found in a post-Covid landscape.

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He said: “From a business perspective, covid had its pros and cons.

“The disadvantages were obviously that many businesses closed, but the silver lining was that it gave many people a new start.

“I’ve seen Dundee become a bit more colorful in recent years with independent restaurants, bars or food trucks.

“There are opportunities for hospitality in the city now which means people like me can open restaurants that might not have been possible before.

“I know myself that I often go out with my family or friends for food or drinks in Dundee.

“It’s great to be a part of.”

One of the chef’s particular favorites is a local branch of the famous Janettas Gelataria in Slessor Gardens which he and his son Felix are known to attend as an after school treat on Friday afternoons.

Elsewhere, he said it’s pop-up restaurants and food trucks, many of which have agreed to take part in next month’s festival, that really show the quality of what the city has to offer.

About his own part in the festival he said: “We will be holding a question-and-answer session in Temple Lane to talk about all aspects of sustainability in the restaurant and bar world.

“There are quick fixes or small conversations that can be made to ensure your business runs more sustainably, so sharing that information is key.

“Even swapping the spirits used in your bar for ones distilled in Scotland will help reduce your carbon footprint.

“Events like the festival are great for the city because it’s an opportunity to showcase all the independent pop-up restaurants or food trucks as well as people who work every day in the food world.

“Dundee might not be known as a foodie city, but it’s a beautiful place full of beautiful people and it’s time to start shouting about what’s on there.”

Pictured: Heather Street Food will be based at the V&A during the festival (Image: Supplied)

The weekend-long festival will take place in venues across the city from the V&A museum to the DCA.

The center of the action will be Dundee’s city square, where all manner of traders from the Dough Dough Pizza Co to The Rolling Stove will gather to create a street food village with live music and performances.

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Banks and his team will also be running their own food stand, serving Scottish sewin bagels and locally sourced lobster rolls that demonstrate the delicious results of using local produce.

He said: “Independent businesses getting a chance to come together is a great thing.

“Often we are so separated in our own little worlds and have a bit of tunnel vision.

“The food festival will be an opportunity for us all to come together and share conversations.

“That is very important.”

Pictured: Events suitable for all ages will be held across the festival weekend (Image: Supplied)

Of the festival, Dundee City Council’s Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure convener, Cllr Steven Rome, said: “I’m delighted that so much progress is being made to deliver Dundee’s first Food Festival.

“The excitement will undoubtedly continue to build in the run up to July and hopefully the variety of attractions on offer will be popular.”

The Dundee Food Festival will take place on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7.

For more information, visit dundeefoodfestival.com.