Stars of local food scene bestowed with honours
A hill walk with an archaeologist and a cakecarrying Shetland pony is an appealing prospect for families in Aberfeldy on Sunday.
Local archaeologist Richard Hiden plans to explain the prehistory of land above the Highland Perthshire town in the company of small bag carrier, Fergus the pony.
Richard will take visitors to see a farm steading dating back to the Middle Ages as well as the site of prehistoric round huts, where there is evidence of ancient rigged cultivation.
His commentary will try to bring these areas to life, describing how people would have lived and worked the land over the millennia.
The 4km walk, covering some steep sections over uneven ground, sets out from Errichel Farm on Crieff Road at 11am. Suitable for children over 8 years old.
The cost is £12 per adult, £8 per child, family ticket – for two adults and two children – is £36.
Advance booking essential, via enquiries@errichel.co.uk, 07974171699 or 01887 829562. The Great Taste Awards announced their verdict last week and Perthshire is bristling with new foodie product recommendations from rare breed biltong to classic ginger biscuits.
The unmistakable black and gold Great Taste label is regarded as a badge of honour, a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, discovered through blind-tasting by hundreds of judges.
Big County truffle specialist Iain Burnett was delighted after judges awarded a further seven stars for his renowned Velvet Truffles.
The master chocolatier from Grandtully in Highland Perthshire has been awarded GTA awards for four products he had not previously put forward for assessment.
The judges said Iain’s truffles were “Outstanding – above and beyond delicious”.
He got stars for the Orange and Clove Velvet Truffle, the Espresso Mocha
Beef biltong from Thyme to Eat, based at Errichel Farm
Velvet Truffle, the Ginger Velvet Truffle and the Strawberry and Star Anise Velvet Truffle.
Iain uses pure, natural ingredients and the refinement of highly skilled artisan methods. His business in Grandtully has been creating bespoke truffles for Michelin star chefs, corporate clients and master distillers for over a decade and sells them online for delivery as gifts all over the world.
Another artisan maker, Loch Tay’s Charlotte Flower Chocolates, had two products awarded one star.
The fresh ginger caramel chocolates impressed the blind tasters, and the other star award was for a dark chocolate shard with seaweed.
Over in Aberfeldy, out of over 12,300 products that were judged, Paul Newman of Thyme at Errichel Restaurant and Thyme to Eat catering banked up a number of impressive Great Taste Awards wins.
His home cured and seasoned Shetland Beef Biltong, a favourite purchase at the farmers’ market, Fergus the Shetland pony will help with the walk was awarded two stars, translated as “outstanding”.
Paul’s Peach and Seville Orange Marmalade and the Kumquat and Chilli Chutney both were awarded one star, judges dubbed the chutney “simply delicious
He said: “I am completely delighted to have been awarded the Great Taste Awards for three of my products.
“The one star awards for two of the preserves is great. Achieving two stars for the biltong is fabulous; the Shetland Beef is raised here on Errichel Farm and is testimony to Errichel and Thyme’s true Field to Plate ethos.”
At Kenmore Bakery, owner Sheila Mitchell was delighted to announce their Traditional Tablet has got one star - the 10th year in a row the popular product has got an award.
“We got a two star award for our Jackie’s Double Gingers, plus two stars for The Millers Crunch and in one star for the Stem Ginger Tablet. This is the second year this has got an award, it got two stars in 2016, its first year of entering, she said.