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Smiling man standing outside wearing an apron, with arms folding in front of a gate.
23 Feb 2025

Gareth Cole

Literary Lunch: Café Canna

WINTER WORDS FESTIVAL

Listen to Gareth Cole as you enjoy one of his recipes originated in cafe at the Hebridean island of Canna.

Gareth Cole runs Café Canna – one of the UK’s most remote restaurants, sitting on the bay of the beautiful Isle of Canna, an island in the Hebrides that is only two miles across and home to just 18 residents. Despite this, it’s one of Condé Nast Traveller’s top beach shack restaurants and one of the Herald’s best places to eat al fresco.

By necessity, and also out of love, Cole and his team make the most of local ingredients from the island and its shores. The café is justly famous for its seafood, landed from the sparkling Hebridean waters. Foraged seaweed is also a mainstay of the menu. Meat comes from the fields next door, vegetables from the garden plot, fruit from the orchard, fresh bread is baked daily and beer brewed on the premises. The range of starters, main courses, puddings, accompaniments and baking is rich and varied, from dulse seaweed croquettes, crab bisque, Full crust Canna beef, Skye Black ale and Blue Murder Pie to Wild gorse crème brûlée, Nettle and spinach spanakopita and Singapore chilli Canna crab.

Gareth’s book is a magnificent celebration of Café Canna and the close-knit island which is its lifeblood. Over 70 recipes showcase the enormous range of dishes produced locally, all of which can be replicated by enthusiasts at home.

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Venue: River Room

Date: 23 Feb

Time: 1.15-2.45pm

Tickets: £40

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