Taste the Place: Where Food Tells Our Story

When I was five, nothing made me happier than charging into my gran’s kitchen and catching that sweet, buttery smell of her freshly baked rock cakes. Her old Be-Ro recipe book — dog-eared, sugar-dusted, and a little stuck together — was a portal to comfort and joy. One bite of those golden cakes and I was home.

Food has always had that magic. It roots us, connects us, and tells the world something about who we are. That’s the idea behind Taste the Place – a campaign I was invited to create and lead as part of Glasgow’s 850th birthday celebrations, building on the legacy of Plate up for Glasgow during COP26 and Grounds for Recycling during the UCI Cycling World Championships.

When I first received the design brief from Glasgow City Council – to reflect the city’s heritage, future ambitions and the role of the River Clyde – I was instantly reminded of a food tour I joined in New York. The guide shared stories of early immigrants who arrived on boats with little but drew on the traditions of their homelands to start cooking, feeding communities, earning income, and creating a sense of home through familiar flavours and memories.

It struck me how similar that was to Glasgow’s own story. For centuries, the River Clyde shaped our city, through its economy, its industries and its people. That sense of resilience, reinvention and community became the foundation for Taste the Place.

Launched in April and running throughout 2025, the campaign invites people to eat their way around Glasgow through three self-guided trails that celebrate food’s power to connect us, honour the past and nourish our communities. With over 44 venues, representing 23 cuisines across the city, it’s a delicious way to explore new flavours, discover hidden gems and support local businesses.

What I learned along the way.

Food is so much more than fuel — it’s a story, a memory, a connection to people and places. Our independent hospitality businesses are far more than pit stops. They’re the heart and soul of our communities, woven into our high streets and vital to our local economy. These are places run by people who genuinely care, who pour love into every plate and create spaces that feel home from home.

You can find great food in the most unexpected places. Across Glasgow, independent venues are breathing new life into unloved or historic buildings, transforming former tram shelters, fire stations and railway arches into vibrant, welcoming spaces. These venues serve up more than food, they connect us to the city’s past while building exciting new chapters for everyone to enjoy.

Some venues nourish more than just appetites, quietly serving up kindness, connection and community through acts like supporting food banks, mentoring young people and championing cultural inclusion. A great example is the friendly team at Ka Ka Lok, who work hard to create an extended ‘family’ network for students new to Glasgow, helping them feel safe and welcomed. Mr Lu, who is also involved with a local homeless charity, offers students the opportunity to volunteer alongside staff – connecting them with others and providing meaningful ways to integrate into Glasgow’s wider community. I’d never have known any of this if it weren’t for engaging with venues through Taste the Place.

Set to continue through the yearlong 850 celebrations and beyond, my hope is that Taste the Place leaves a legacy of stronger community connections and shines a light on Glasgow’s independent venues as vibrant storytellers of the city’s culture, people and delicious produce.

On a personal note, I’m so grateful to every participating business. It’s rare to work with such a passionate and collaborative group, all committed to something bigger than themselves. I walk away from this experience with more than just a brilliant food map, I’ve gained a community of people I now call friends.

Whether it’s your gran’s rock cakes or a comforting bowl of ramen, food is never just food. It’s identity. It’s memory. It’s how we come together, creating a sense of belonging and feeling at home.

Hungry for more?

Taste the Place runs throughout 2025, so there’s still plenty of time to explore the dishes and drinks that make Glasgow, well, Glasgow. Support your local indies. Try something new. And maybe even find your own rock cake moment.

👉 Grab your map and start your culinary adventure HERE.