Pair keen to add Highland championship to haul

The winners of a street food competition for schools will be announced on the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) stand at the Royal Highland Show.

The initiative, which is in its second year, aims to introduce pupils to cooking with Scotch beef, lamb and pork products by requiring them to work out costings for their product and create a marketing campaign with the aim of making students and educators aware of the careers available to them.

The finalists of the competition come from pupils at St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch, who created the dish Sweet Lamb Sensation; Kirkintilloch High School, who cooked Scotch Lamb Filo Parcels; and Our Lady’s RC High School who served Spicy Pork Pinwheels.

QMS health and education coordinator Jennifer Robertson said the judges were impressed by the finished dishes as well as the quality and flavour of the beef, lamb and pork.

“It’s important for young people to gain an understanding of the care and attention to detail involved in the production of these quality ingredients,” she added.

Stewart Collins of butcher partners S Collins & Son, said it was important for the next generation to be aware of the variety of food and drink careers.

The other partner in the competition is the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland.

FDF skills manager Moira Stalker said the competition would help more youngsters to learn about the variety of career opportunities available in the food and drink industry – including science, product development, engineering, marketing, nutrition and design.

The winner of the challenge will be announced by BBC Scotland presenter Brian Burnett and finalists will be rewarded with a performance from emerging local star Saskia Eng, who reached the knockout stages of The Voice UK.

“The judges were impressed with the finished dishes”