Meat Voucher Scheme Gets Perthshire School Pupils Cooking Up a Storm

Pupils in Aberfeldy have recently been cooking up a storm thanks to the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) meat voucher scheme.

S3 pupils at Breadalbane Academy were challenged to work in collaboration with their Modern Languages department to develop a cultural dish using Specially Selected Pork mince.  Based on the four different languages taught at the school: French, German, Spanish and Gaelic, pupils were asked to design and cook a tapas style dish.

To aid their learning and cooking skills, QMS chef Steve Craik visited the school to share his knowledge, skills and passion with the pupils.

After discussing composition of new dishes and the role of red meat as part of a healthy balanced diet, Chef Craik worked with the pupils to cook three dishes: Chorizo Spanish Style Meatball with Classic Tomato and Basil Sauce, Crofters Style Meatball with Rustic Vegetables and German Style (Konigsberger Klopse) Meatballs served with Creme Fraiche Sauce (Veloute).

Developed in response to reports that teachers in many Scottish schools are unable to afford fresh red meat products, the QMS Meat Voucher initiative provides teachers with to up to £100 worth of meat vouchers which can be redeemed at certified independent retailers and butchers.  The vouchers can be exchanged for fresh, locally produced Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork which can be used in cookery lessons to educate and inspire pupils to cook healthy, balanced meals at home.   

Caroline Stewart, Principal Teacher of Home Economics/Health and Wellbeing at Breadalbane Academy commented: “We’ve been fortunate to have had Chef Craik visit the school to give the pupils a cookery demonstration and talk on using Specially Selected Pork mince.  He discussed flavour combinations and provided general information about the high production methods and welfare standards which underpin the farming industry in Scotland.”

QMS Health & Education Manager, Alix Ritchie said: “We are delighted that the meat voucher has enabled this S3 project to go ahead.  It is a credit to the school that they have made the most of this opportunity and developed a cross-curriculum approach to the learning.”

For more information on Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork, visit www.scotchkitchen.com or The Scotch Kitchen on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Home Economics teachers can apply for their voucher by emailing QMS directly on info@qmscotland.co.uk or via the ‘contact us’ section on the QMS website: www.qmscotland.co.uk