Stirling store to feature in TV treat
A Stirling shopkeeper with a flair for cuisine is set to become a star of the small screen.
New BBC series Corner Shop Cook-Off will feature Ruby Shakoor and husband Shakir as they host two star chefs.
The team descended on the couple’s Weaver Row newsagents to make the first episode, which features celebrity cooks battling it out to make a winning meal from ingredients available at a selection of corner shops and convenience stores.
Shakir told the Observer: “We were approached by the BBC, who said they were making a new series, and could they come along.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect and I did say to them that we don’t have an awful lot of stuff to choose from by way of ingredients, we are primarily a newsagents but we also do food in our little kitchen.
“They said they wanted to come anyway because that’s part of the challenge.”
The team called at the store to film the episode, which sees chef Gary Maclean battle it out with renowned Stirling-based private chef Mark Heirs to see who can prepare the best dishes from the ingredients on offer.
As well as the more conventional ingredients, the chefs also have to base on course of their meal on a rogue surprise ingredient, selected at random from the shop’s stock.
Shakir added: “They have to use the secret ingredient and I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s amazing to see what they do with that.
“It’s actually really surprising what they were able to do with the stuff they had and how tasty everything they made was.”
The team found out Ruby and Shakir’s store, which they have run for the past 27 years, thanks to their social media presence.
As well the shop, the couple transformed their vacant storeroom into a fully-equipped catering facility known as Ruby’s Little Kitchen.
The through-the-hatch service offers snacks aimed at local schoolkids, as well as more traditional Asian cuisine including the curry legendary in the area.
Shakir said: “Ruby cooked some stuff when the BBC team were here as well and they really enjoyed it.”
The couple can’t wait to see how the show, which is fronted by chef Gary and former Altered Images singer Clare Grogan, pans out.
Shakir said: “It will be good to see how it all turns out, when they are here they do a lot of takes so you have no idea how the finished product will look.”
Corner Shop Cook-Off, featuring Ruby and Shakir, will air on BBC Scotland at 8pm on Wednesday February 19.