From Left to Right:-  Michelle Latimer, Doddie Weir, Stephanie Bell, John Jeffrey, Val Brunton

Thirty five exhibitors offered visitors the chance to sample and purchase a wide variety of high quality local produce and were treated to a programme of cookery demonstrations by Sheila McKinnon from the Mansfield House Hotel, Hawick, Michelle Latimer from Hawick and Kenny Coltman from the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh, all who delighted their audiences with mouth watering sensations.

To add a little colour and fun to the event two Ready Steady Cook sessions took place with Stephanie Bell from BC Consultants attempting to keep some sort of order and control, no mean feat when faced with the amateur chefs and their antics.   Friday saw the Radio Borders Challenge, Paul Brownlee assisted Alan Reid of Windlestraw Lodge, Walkerburn while Stuart McCulloch assisted Ross Horrocks of the Caddy Mann, Nr Jedburgh with Paul and Alan winning by a couple of points. Stuart McCulloch, with his customary flair! led Ross Horrocks a merry dance in a quest to deliver a mouth watering dish. If he ever wishes to change occupation to the food and drink industry, Employers Beware!!

Saturday saw the Rugby Stars Challenge. John Jeffrey assisted Val Brunton of the Sunflower Restaurant in Peebles while Doddie Weir assisted Michelle Latimer from Hawick.  This session saw mouth-watering dishes being presented but we can’t say that this was down to Doddie or John as they were too busy entertaining the crowd and trying to score points from each other and the audience in the vain hope that they would win. Although a close call, the winner in the end was John and Val.

Over both days the recipe for success was clearly Great Local Produce cooked by Great Local Chefs both professional and amateur. 

For further information please contact Stephanie Bell on 01896 662577 or email: sbell@borderscollege.ac.uk