Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, presents Foodie Passport winner, Laura Allen, with her Aberdeen Gift Card prize at Aberdeen's Amarone Restaurant. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Laura Allen is the delighted winner of a £500 Aberdeen Gift Card after entering the Foodie Passport competition as part of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks – and says hearing the news of the prize went a long way to brightening up her life after a difficult time.
A firm fan of the city’s Foodie Fortnight Laura was delighted to receive the good news and told us: “I am shocked and delighted ... this has really cheered me up. Those dinners and lunches I went out for during Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks were on either side of me getting surgery for breast cancer.”
Supported during the past few months by a close network of friends and family she continued: “I’m looking forward to sharing this with my husband and five children after a challenging time for us all, what a treat!”
Laura scooped the £500 Aberdeen Gift Card after visiting four of the almost 80 restaurants who were part of the Foodie Fortnight, then submitting her passport and receipts to Aberdeen Inspired, who stage the event.
Shona Byrne, project manager for Aberdeen Inspired, said: “When Laura shared her story with us after being told she was our Foodie Passport winner, the entire team were so touched and moved by her courage.”
Laura, a supply teacher has lived in the city for more than 20 years after first moving to study at Aberdeen University. She was presented with her £500 Aberdeen Gift Card by Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired at Amarone Restaurant.
Adrian said: “Laura has been on an inspirational journey and Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to have played a small role in lifting her spirits through this toughest of times.”
Planning has already begun for the return of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks this autumn.