The biggest-ever Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks has been given a chef’s kiss from many of the 90 venues taking part for boosting their business – with some saying they have had to bring in extra staff to cope with demand.
Their comments came as the Foodie Fortnight reaches its midway point this weekend, after launching on Monday, February 23, and running to Sunday, March 8, organised by Aberdeen Inspired.
The sheer volume of restaurants, bars and cafes taking part in the celebration of Aberdeen’s hospitality sector – with a rich array of cuisines from across the globe – make it the largest event of its kind in Scotland.
On offer are special dinner and lunch menus ranging from £10 to £30, plus specially curated a la carte and tasting menus, that have already seen discerning diners flocking to eat out, restaurants have reported.
Ryan Clark, Director of The Atrium on Chapel Street and recently-opened Hammerman’s at Golden Square, said: “We are delighted with the response from the public to Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, which has been a significant boost for The Atrium and provided a great launch for Hammerman’s. The reach we have had on social media following the Ambassador visit, in such a short time is incredible.
“Both the Atrium and Hammerman’s have been extremely busy as a result of the Foodie Fortnight, with fantastic numbers booked for the weekend and midweeks filling up nicely too.”
Parveen Sood of Glenhouse and Social Monkey, both on Union Street, also gave Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks a chef’s kiss.
“We are seeing a big jump in walk-ins, during the week and hope to see even more over the coming weekend. Our reservations are also soaring and many of them are first-time diners with us.
“That’s the beauty of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks as far as I am concerned, getting new customers coming through the door who we hope will love what we do and become regulars. Foodie Fortnight is certainly a recipe for success as far as we are concerned.”
Chloe Raitt, at Wild Goose on Union Terrace, said: “We have seen a really promising start to Aberdeen Restaurant Week with a healthy number of walk-in customers asking for the Foodie Fortnight Menu.
“We are looking forward to seeing how the next two weekends perform and what the rest of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks bring in, as we're seeing loads of people booking in looking to make use of the deals!”
Shona Byrne, Aberdeen Inspired’s project manager who spearheads Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, said she was delighted with the response both from the public and the eateries taking part.
“Restaurants have been singing the praises of the impact on their business of the Foodie Fortnight. Some, including Madame Mews and 8848, telling us they have brough in extra staff to cope with demand,” she said.
“It is fair to say that the Foodie Fortnight is one of the most-popular and most-anticipated events in the cultural calendar of the Granite City. With such stunning food on offer at such tasty prices, what’s not to love?”
“More importantly is the boost it brings to our vital hospitality sector in these challenging times. The Foodie Fortnight is clearly boosting their trade and helping them find new customers along with their regulars.”
Shona added that diners also enjoy the experience, and the Secret Suppers staged by Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks – where diners don’t know where they are eating until the day of the event – has added to that.
“I attended the first two of the three secret suppers, both were sold out.
“The first was held at His Majesty’s Theatre earlier this week and it’s fair to say those who attended were blown away by both the food and the sumptuous surroundings. It’s not every day you get to enjoy a course of delicious cuisine on the hallowed stage of HMT.
“The second was a stunning success at the intimate surrounds of Café Boheme on Windmill Brae. Everyone who was there went home full of joie de vivre.”
The final secret supper will be on Thursday, March 5, and there are only a handful of places left.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Boosting bricks and mortar businesses is what Aberdeen Inspired is all about, and Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks achieves that and then some.
“Figures from past outings indicate that every Foodie Fortnight injects about £500,000 into the local economy. It also gives a tangible boost to city centre footfall, bringing people in, encouraging them to linger and boosting that vital ‘support local’ ethos.
“So, I hope as many people as possible come out to enjoy the banquet of delights Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks offers from now until its last sitting on March 8.”
You can find out more about Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks here.