Merchant City Festival
Place at the Table: The New Glasgow
- Tickets
-
£8.22 (includes booking fee)
- Dates and times
-
Saturday 1st Aug 2026
4:00pm
- Age
- All ages
- Venue
How food professionals are shaping the city: Julie Lin, Chitra Ramaswamy, Fariya Sharif and Dr Noby Leong, in conversation with Torgi Squire
A diverse community of young and creative chefs and food writers are shaping the restaurant scene and culinary culture of Glasgow. Contributors to this panel will consider the role of food professionals in shaping the wider reputation and character of the city. Can they help Glasgow become defined by a distinctive, inclusive culture.
Julie Lin, television presenter and chef, published her first book, Sama Sama, in 2025, to much acclaim. Through her writing and broadcasting, she celebrates her Malaysian and Scottish heritage. Julie previously owned a Michelin-listed restaurant, GaGa, in Glasgow.
Chitra Ramaswamy, is a journalist and author. Currently the restaurant critic for the Scottish edition of The Times, she has received numerous of accolades, including the Saltire Society Non-fiction Book of the Year, for The History of a Friendship.
Fariya Sharif, co-founded Parveen’s Canteen in 2022, with her sister Sahar. Located in Glasgow’s southside, Parveen’s was an affordable, community-focused vegetarian restaurant specialising in Pakistani cuisine. They closed Parveen’s in 2025 and are laying plans for a new venue to open later this year.
Torgi Squire is a Scottish educator and digital creator
whose content explores culture, identity and personal development through
humour and real-life perspectives. His work has gained international attention
for highlighting modern Scottish identity.
🎫 Book a full day of
Place at the Table talks for £15. Just add all 4 to your basket or click here to find out more.
Booking Information
A 12% booking fee is included in the ticket price, as advertised. At check-out this fee will be shown separately for receipt purposes and to ensure the face value of your ticket is correct. Prices are subject to change. Prices may vary on the night of a show. Transactions fees may vary depending on event.
Dispatch Charges
E-tickets - Free of charge
Fulfilment Fee - £1.95
Transaction Charges apply as follows
- Online up to £1.50
- Phone up to £1.75
- Counter/in person: Free
View the full Ticket Purchase Policy.
Restoration fund
From 1 September 2024, for any new events going on sale at our Concert Halls venues (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls and Old Fruitmarket and Kelvingrove Bandstand), a new Restoration Fund of £1.50 per ticket may be added at checkout. View the full Restoration Fund T&Cs.
Tickets Booking Line
Lines open Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00 (excluding Bank Holidays). Please check opening hours over any Bank Holiday period.
Accessible toilets
There are accessible toilets on level 2 next to the Gents toilet, adjacent to the Candleriggs Bar and on Level 5 next to the Club Room.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Wheelchair access
Lift access to all areas.
There are designated spaces for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are left with the patron. A companion may sit with you. Companions sit next to you.
There is a wheelchair to borrow. To borrow a wheelchair,please ask a member of staff.
Baby changing
There are baby changing facilities next to the cloakroom on level 2. One in the ladies toilet and an adjacent additional area in our first aid room.
Baby feeding
Available on request
Cloakroom
The cloakroom is located on the 1st floor next to the toilets. There is a £2 charge - card payment only. The cloakroom is only open for events or where a client has requested the facility.
Parking
On street, metered parking and nearby multi-storey.
Photography and video recording
At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
The public are only permitted to record and take photos where explicit permission has been granted in advance.
Free wifi
There is free public Wifi access. To connect, visitors have to register with City Halls Public Wifi which should pop up on their browser. After that visitors will only need their password for future uses.
Location Map
The meeting rooms and conference spaces within the complex are suitable for hosting from 15 – 400 delegates. Visit the City Halls' venue hire web page to find out more.