My Experience at the Robert Burns Scottish Dinner

Hey Foodies! It's been a while. I've missed you! I had a few really cool experiences recently and I couldn't help but to start writing about it. I was recently assigned to cover the Robert Burns Dinner at the Country Squire Restaurant and Winery.

I was given 2 tickets to the event, so I took my bestie Bryan with me. We had a good time and got to sit with a group of Scottish people from Wilmington.

This is us...before the wine! HAHA!

Keep in mind, this wasn't my first time covering it, but this time was different. I think in the past, I have been so focused on working and getting a good story that I didn't get the chance to really take everything in. As I am in my 6th year of being a newspaper reporter, I am a lot more comfortable and confident in myself and find myself enjoying the events I cover a lot more. 

Shot of the room from the night of the event

You're probably wondering, "What the heck is a Robert Burns dinner?" Before you can understand what it is, you must first understand who he is. Robert Burns, often called Rabbie Burns, was a poet and lyricist who lived during the 1700s and is to this day widely known as Scotland's national poet and a pioneer of the romantic era. 

Picture of Robert Burns

His professional life wasn't the only thing he was known for. Ol' dude was a serious lover boy. He was known to write his poems about women either directly or indirectly. Here's a prime example. His 1st child was with his mother's servant and this happened while he in a relationship and chasing after another woman (or 3). Haha! During the event, the Scots who read about his life jokingly talked about how much he loved women. I mean, the man literally helped create a group called The Tarbolton Bachelors' Club. One of the rules of the club was, and I quote,

"Every man proper for a member of this Society must have a frank, honest, open heart; above anything dirty or mean; and must be a professed lover of one or more of the email sex."

Like wow dude! This sounds like something you'd find in Vegas. Haha!

Now, this is a food blog, so I know you are wondering about the Scottish food! Right before dinner, the presentation of the haggis took place. 

Haggis is the national dish in Scotland and is made up of minced sheep or calf offal, oatmeal, spices, and suet. It is traditionally boiled in a sheep's stomach. I know it doesn't sound very good but it was! It just looks like a ground beef mixture but softer. The flavor was very savory.

The haggis presentation is a traditional ceremony that takes place at the Burns Night celebrations each year. During the ceremony, a piper leads the haggis into the room on a platter carried by the chef. Once they reach the front of the room, the haggis Is placed for all to see, and a poem called “Address to a Haggis” is read. The person who recites the poem then makes a toast alongside the chef, piper, and the crowd. The attendees can then enjoy the haggis together.

Here are some photos from the presentation of the haggis

So the complete meal was Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties. The neeps and tatties are basically rutabagas and mashed potatoes, which were also delicious. I enjoyed the sides a little more but everything paired really well together. 

Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties

That was the appetizer. For the actual meal, you could choose between a broiled flounder, 8 oz ribeye steak, spinach stuffed chicken with cream sauce, or a traditional Scottish steak pie. 

 Spinach stuffed chicken and cream cheese

 Scottish steak pie, potatoes, and peas

I had such a good time that night, and having someone with me made it even better! I love learning about other cultures. I truly believe if people took the time to talk to more people that are not like them and take the time to learn about other cultures, there wouldn't be as much hate in the world! I challenge you today to take the time this week to talk to someone that is different than you!