Taste Scottish Borders at Kelso Show

Friday

(Left to right...John Jeffrey, Val Brunton, Stephanie Bell, Charlie McCririck and Michelle Latimer)

30th and Saturday 31st July were the dates when visitors to Kelso Show were treated to a culinary delight – 35 Food and Drink companies showcased the finest that the Scottish Borders has to offer. Supported by the Scottish Borders Food Network and Haldanes Stores, the Food Fair which is an established part of the annual show saw the public treated to two days of practical demonstrations and Ready Steady Cook Offs.

Sheila MacKinnon from Hawick, Kirsty Baker of the Pampered Chef and Kenny Coltman of The Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh delighted audiences with mouth watering dishes using the finest ingredients to produce their own special recipes using local lamb, beef, poultry, cream, ice cream and seasonal berries – after tasting the culinary creations the public were keen to take copies of the recipes to add to their collection, no doubt many will become tried and trusted favorites’

Adding some fun to the event were the highly popular Ready Steady Cook Offs, however before the clock started ticking, the ‘willing participants’ were given a lesson in breading making – Matthew Rawlings of the Great Northumberland Bread Co made it look so easy, the same could not be said about the efforts of the participants – where there was more flour on the floor than on the board!!

The scene was then set for some real culinary fun, Friday’s Cook Off saw Ross Horrocks of the Caddymann assisted by Jamie Innes take on Kirsty Baker of the Pampered Chef assisted by Stuart McCulloch – after a close run ‘battle’ and much to their delight Ross and Jamie were voted the winners.

Saturday’s Cook Off saw Val Brunton of the Sunflower Restaurant assisted by John Jeffrey take on Michelle Latimer assisted by Charlie McCririck – the culinary goddesses really did have their hands full and had to keep a tight rein on the antics of the their assistants, Charlie was heard to say that the only time that he felt in control was when he was using the blow torch to brown the meringues!! To their delight Val and John won by one vote!

‘A recipe for success – amazing local ingredients and talented chefs - the planning and preparation before the show certainly paid off, the range of produce available and the skills of the chefs taking part certainly added to the success, the fact that all enjoyed being part of the event made it all worthwhile’ said Stephanie Bell BC Consultants – for further information please contact sbell@borderscollege.ac.uk

18 October 2010

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