Food lovers, rejoice! It looks like all of your meaty dreams are coming true this summer, with the UK’s “top food festival” coming to Glasgow. Meatopia is taking over SWG3 this June, bringing world-renowned Chefs, as well as local talent all into one place. Expect open flames, sustainable produce and, of course, one-of-a-kind dishes.
Meatopia is a food festival originating in the USA boasting open-flame cooking, where the best chefs gather together to show off their latest, never-seen-before dishes. Approaching its 12th year in the UK, the event hosted some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Yotam Ottolenghi, the pioneer of “nose-to-tail” dining Fergus Henderson, and Scotland’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, Sam Yorke of Heron.
Meatopia was founded by the late American writer Josh Ozersky and brought to the UK in 2013 by Mat Kemp, Richard Turner and James George. The festival has gained massive recognition ever since, becoming a yearly staple for food lovers.
As a result, it is only fitting Glasgow gets its own Meatopia, with SWG3 hosting the festival between June 6 and 8, 2025. Guests will be able to taste some of the best food of their lives from local and international celebrity chefs, enjoy live music, plenty of drinks, while getting immersed in the art of cooking all in one place.
The line-up
The much-loved Scoop group of restaurants will be strongly represented, with Robin Aitken of Margo, Danny Carruthers of Sebb’s, Craig Nelson of Ox and Finch, Thomas Greer of BABA, and Sandy Browning of Ka Pao all set to showcase their skills. El Perro Negros’ Nick Watkins is also joining the festival, as well as Edinburgh’s Hamish McNeil, the head chef of Eleanore.
El Perro Negro founder, Nick Watkins added: “Everyone in the food scene knows that Meatopia is an event not to be missed, so when we heard it was coming to Glasgow, we knew we had to be involved.
“We’re already testing and trialling dishes and we can’t wait to test ourselves against some of the very best in the game. The atmosphere will be incredible and given Glasgow’s amazing food scene, this is the perfect destination for Meatopia to expand to.”
Edinbane Lodge’s Calum Montgomery is also going to be there, and Craig Grozier is also making an appereance, the person behind the immersive dining experience Fallachan based at SWG3.
Completing the Scottish line-up as the first-ever festival are chefs from Mirin and Harajuku Kitchen, as well as Roberta Hall-McCarron and Dominic Greechan, the duo behind The Little Chartroom and Ardfern.
Creative Director Mat Kemp said: “Our festival is all about world-class chefs creating one dish each, with knowledge and influence from global fire-cooking culture, but using the best locally-sourced ingredients – and Scotland’s larder is a dream come true for any cook. The cooks will have so much to play with.
“The success of Meatopia has been overwhelming. It sells out every year because it really is a one-of-a-kind experience, founded to champion the use of naturally raised and produced , ethically sourced meat and fish and vegetables, cooked using only fire or smoke. It really is the world’s best BBQ. Since taking Meatopia to Dublin in 2017, 18 and 19 we’ve been looking up and down the UK for a place to take it next, and Glasgow was the perfect fit.”
“This is about heroing hands-on cooks, age-old techniques and natural food, and Glasgow has that in abundance. It has such an incredible food scene. As much as anything else, I wanted Meatopia to be in Glasgow to give me an excuse to explore it more.”
Tickets to Meatopia Glasgow range between £11 and £17.05, and you can book them here.