Marian Armitage

I am a born and bred Shetlander.
I studied 'Domestic Science' with Food and Nutrition in Edinburgh in the early 70s and then went on to have a 35 year career teaching in state secondary schools firstly in Norwich then in the London Boroughs of Islington and Hammersmith & Fulham.
I am married and have 3 adult 'children' and 3 grandchildren.
I wrote 'Shetland Food and Cooking' published by The Shetland Times Ltd in 2014. It was the first book about the subject - other than recipe booklets and single business publications - since Margaret Stout published 'Cookery for Northern Wives' in 1925. It went on to become a winner in the 'Food promotion' category at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Yantai, China in 2016.
My second book, 'Food made in Shetland' was published in June 2022, by 60 North Publishing.
In 2017 I co-founded 'Shetland Food and Drink' - a membership organisation representing and promoting local producers and food and drink related businesses.
In 2019 I was given the 'Ambassador of the Year' award from the Highlands & Islands Food and Drink Awards.
Since 2017, I have been Chair of Shetland Food and Drink. (www.tasteofshetland.com)

Professions

Author, Cookery demonstrator, Cookery teacher, Nutritionist, Recipe writer

Special subjects

Food and cookery
Nutrition and food science

Regular work

Retired, but I often carry out voluntary work to assist members to promote their businesses.

Advisory boards / Awards

Chair, Shetland Food and Drink
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2016 : winner in the food promotion category.
Ambassador of the Year : Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.
Board member : Developing the Young Workforce

Languages spoken

English
Basic French
Shetland Dialect

Commercial interest

None.