If you’re on the hunt for a venue that ticks all the boxes – character, views and just the right atmosphere – Kinkell Byre is hard to beat. Tucked along the Fife coast near St Andrews, this beautifully restored barn has a way of making any event feel a little bit special. It’s got that relaxed, rustic charm, but with a backdrop of sweeping sea views that really does the talking.
It’s no surprise it’s a favourite for the Hog Roast St Andrews team. So when the latest booking came through for a celebration there, let’s just say no one needed convincing.
With 140 guests on the list, the brief was clear: create something that everyone could enjoy. Different tastes, different dietary needs – it all had to be covered without losing that sense of occasion. We were more than up for the challenge.
The feasting kicked off at 3:30pm with a casual antipasti offering… although “casual” might be underselling it a bit. Under Steven’s lead, the Hog Roast St Andrews team laid out a table that guests couldn’t help but drift towards. There were Italian cold-cut meats arranged with care (some rolled, some shaped into little flowers), a mix of cheeses from bold gorgonzola to creamy mozzarella, plus artisan breads, crunchy crackers, fresh olives, cucumber and carrot sticks and even fruit to keep things bright and colourful. No one could stay away from the table for very long and extra helpings were most definitely encouraged.
After such an impressive intro, the guests were eager to see what we had up our sleeves for the next act – luckily they didn’t have to wait long. By the time 5pm rolled around, Hog Roast St Andrews was ready to impress with our legendary hog roast.
As expected, the hog made quite the entrance – slow-cooked for hours and resting, golden and ready, before carving began. There’s always a bit of theatre in that moment, and it didn’t disappoint. Crispy crackling, tender pork, soft buns, stuffing, applesauce – it all came together exactly as it should. Add in fresh salads, coleslaw and both classic and sweet potato fries and everyone’s cravings were taken care of.
For those skipping the meat, grilled vegetable kebabs with halloumi, flatbreads and tzatziki offered something just as satisfying.
Everything was served on proper crockery with quality cutlery, which gave the whole meal a slightly more polished feel without losing the relaxed atmosphere of the day.
Good food, a great setting and a crowd that clearly enjoyed both – what can we say: it’s a winning combination.