Top Chef Congratulates Perth Show on Brilliant Initiative

One of Scotland’s top chefs, Nick Nairn, has congratulated the organisers of this weekend’s Perth Show for having the vision to develop an event which successfully showcases both food and farming to the public.

Mr Nairn is one of a great line-up of top chefs set to share their skills and experience with visitors to Perthshire on a Plate food festival (on Friday 4th & Saturday 5th August), hosted by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Perth Show.

“My very first cookery demo was in Perth almost three decades ago and it will be great to be back and to be part in this innovative food festival. The produce from Perthshire is consistently fabulous and it makes our job as chefs easy when we can work with the sort of high quality ingredients found in this area,” said Mr Nairn.

He added: “Too often as chefs we get all the plaudits when in fact there should be much more recognition of the role of farmers in producing great quality food. Initiatives like Perthshire on a Plate also help to build vital relationships between farmers, chefs and the end-consumers.”

Mr Nairn also welcomed the decision by Perth Show to introduce a Food Charter, supported by Quality Meat Scotland and Scotland Food & Drink, to ensure visitors to the event are offered quality, local producer where-ever possible.

“This really is an excellent initiative and one which many other food events around the country would benefit from introducing.

“What Perthshire on a Plate is doing is showcasing the very best of local produce to the general public – who not only have a great day out but also get a better understanding of how great food is produced in the area.”

Nick Nairn will be cooking Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork dishes in the cookery theatre at Perth Show on Saturday at 11am and 3pm.

On Friday French celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will be leading the line-up in the cookery theatre at the event and Perth College hospitality students will be supporting the talented line-up of chefs.

Among the local chefs who will be joining Nick and Jean Christophe are: Willie Little of Little’s Restaurant, Blairgowrie; George Urquhart of Blair Castle; Graeme Maxwell of Maxwell Desserts; Willie Deans of Deans Restaurant, Perth; Chris Rowley of Ballintaggart, Pitlochry and Praveen Kumar of Tabla, Perth.

Carol McLaren, Head of Communications with Quality Meat Scotland, said QMS was pleased to be supporting the Perthshire on a Plate/Perth Show Food Charter initiative, launched in 2016.

“One of the challenges we face as an industry is lack of understanding by consumers of the benefits of buying quality, local produce and this year’s Perth Show promises to be an excellent opportunity to inspire, entertain and educate the public.”

“Perthshire On A Plate made its debut at Perth Show last year and after its huge success in year one we have worked hard to create an even bigger and better event this year. Whatever the weather it will be a fantastic event!” said Maureen Young of Perthshire on a Plate.