World-beating berries are just on your doorstep

Perthshire strawberries are the best you can buy says Tim Dover, chef patron of The Roost restaurant in Bridge of Earn

Now the summer is about to come in to full swing, there is never a better time to start getting excited about one of Perthshire’s most treasured crops: strawberries. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being asked to visit Bruce Farms in Meigle, Blairgowrie, to produce 400 strawberry tarts on the farm and create a massive number 70 to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

The visit was fascinating for me as a chef, and as soon as I walked into the polytunnels, I got the incredible aroma of fresh strawberries that I will treasure for the rest of my days. I believe Perthshire strawberries are the best in the UK, but why?

The light, fertile soil, long summer days and mild nights provide the perfect conditions for growing sweet, juicy berries. The temperate conditions in Perthshire lead the fruit to ripen at a slightly slower rate, producing the sweeter and juicier strawberries Brits love. This allows the fruits to be packed full of natural flavour and make them a joy to eat and a chef ’s best friend for creating new desserts for the summer at the restaurant.

With that in mind, here is a baked strawberry cheesecake recipe for you to try at home. It’s a real showstopper, so makes an ideal centre piece for any summer garden party.

This filling has a touch of sour cream for extra-smooth creaminess. And if you leave it to cool in an off oven, you’re going to greatly reduce the risk of cracking. To help it bake even more evenly, use a water bath. To make one, put your springform pan into a roasting pan and place in oven. Then, pour boiling water halfway up the sides of the springform pan. You also want to make sure to not overbake your cheesecake. You still want a slight jiggle in the centre, because it will continue to bake as it cools and be perfectly set.