A success story to dine out on

A NEW culinary star has arrived and Glasgow and Scotland can be proud of Gary Maclean, a most worthy winner of Professional MasterChef who triumphed in an edge-of-the-seat final (“Self-confessed ‘MasterChef nerd’ crowned winner”, The Herald, December 23).

Throughout the competition, many of Mr Maclean’s dishes had a distinctive Scottish flavour, reminders that we can boast not only of our national drink but also of Scotland’s larder, which is crammed with goodies ranging from haggis and neeps, brought bang up to date in one of Mr Maclean’s stylish dishes, to meltingly tender meats, tangy seafood, fresh fruits, berries and vegetables, and not forgetting mustard from Arran. No wonder Scottish food is appreciated worldwide; I have friends in the United States who will be dining on Scottish salmon on Christmas Day, and Scotland supplies one-third of the world’s langoustines.

Mr Maclean’s Professional MasterChef journey showcased a mouthwateringly delicious taste of Scotland, and with not a deep-fried Mars bar in sight. Ruth Marr, 99 Grampian Road, Stirling.