Chef Nick praises showcase of local produce at event
Celebrity chef Nick Nairn says Perth Show blazes a trail for others to follow in terms of the quality of produce on offer.
The Michelin-starred culinary expert heaped praise on the Big County’s local larder during an appearance at Perthshire On A Plate, run by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce as part of last weekend’s agricultural showpiece on the Fair City’s South Inch.
Other highlights included appearances by Jean-Christophe Novelli – a TV regular who has two Michelin stars and restaurants in the UK, France and South Africa – as well as demonstrations by chefs Willie Little from Little’s Restaurant in Blairgowrie, George Urquhart from Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, Praveen Kumar from Tabla in Perth, Graeme Maxwell from Maxwell’s Desserts in Bridge of Earn, and Chris Rowley from Ballintaggart Farm in Grandtully.
There was also a cooking demonstration for kids with Ian Gibb from Perth College UHI and a Perth College versus the ladies from the Scottish Women’s Institute challenge.
Nick, who cooked roe venison for Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday celebrations, said: “All the stalls here have local produce, there is no-one here selling sweeties from overseas.
“You don’t find that at a lot of shows, so all the other agricultural shows should take a leaf out of Perth’s book. Perth really makes sure it is connected to the area, and no-one is selling stuff that’s unrelated to the area.
“It is fantastic, Scotland has the most amazing larder and Perth is the epicentre of that.”
The celebrity chef appeared twice at Perthshire On A Plate stage, and delighted crowds with his demonstrations, which included peppered beef fillet strips, pork fillet saltimbocca and chargrilled lamb.
Nick continued: “I am really enjoying myself. It has been a well-attended event with lots of interesting exhibitors and I’ve just been down to see the Highland cows and Highland is my favourite beef.
“I’ve bumped into a lot of farmers I know today and had lunch with some ladies as well.
Perth College UHI sector manager for food studies and hospitality, Ian Gibb, and professional cook students with children during one of the demonstrations
Nick Nairn, 20-month-old Lilli Duncan and Anja Kujas at livestock pens
Nick runs cookery schools at Lake of Menteith and Aberdeen.
He noted how effective having Perth Show and Perthshire On A Plate team up is when it comes to educating people on where their food comes from and in connecting chefs and farmers.
He declared: “This is absolutely brilliant; to be able to tell the farm to plate story is fantastic.
“There is a whole generation not knowing where their food comes from, so shows like this highlight and showcase the local produce here in Scotland.
“It is a great provision of food education. Something is happening in Perth - there is a real ‘foodie’ movement taking off here.”
See overleaf for more on Perthshire On A Plate.