Young Aberdeen Angus Scotch Beef Chef Returns from OZ

A twenty-year-old Inverness-based chef has returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Sydney as a prize for being crowned the overall winner of the Aberdeen-Angus Scotch Beef Award.

Hayley Bruce works at McBains Catering, a family run business based at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, which specialises in producing top quality catering using fresh local and seasonal produce.

Hayley, a talented and enthusiastic young chef, won the prestigious cooking competition run by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in 2017. The competition saw the students challenged to devise a main course dish featuring Aberdeen-Angus Scotch Beef PGI as the main ingredient.

Hayley has now returned from Australia, where she experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trip and and opportunity of work experience at Jason Atherton’s Michelin star restaurant, Kensington Street Social in Sydney.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of QMS, said: “The competition was a fantastic opportunity to reward young talent in the industry and we are ecstatic Hayley enjoyed her time in Australia.

“The main ingredient in the competition -  Aberdeen-Angus Scotch Beef – has earned a global reputation for quality and we have been delighted to see how enthusiastic young chefs like Hayley are about our top-quality beef.

“2018 is Scotland’s year of young people, a chance to allow young people to showcase their ideas and talents but more importantly celebrate their successes.

“The commitment shown by Hayley throughout the competition was inspiring and showcased the very best of Scottish produce, she has, without doubt, a very exciting career ahead of her.”

Angela McGregor, President of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society said: “In the summer of 2017, the World Angus Forum attracted delegates from 24 different countries. The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society along with QMS were keen to encourage young chefs to use their imagination and skills to develop dishes using Aberdeen-Angus beef to win an experience of a lifetime”.

The prestigious prize and opportunity of work experience was offered by Tristin Farmer, Chef-patron of Jason Atherton’s Marina Social restaurant in Dubai and QMS.