Ballater chef is lamb surf ’n’ turf champion

Ballater chef Ross Cochrane has been crowned Scotch Lamb PGI Surf ’n’ Turf Chef of the Year in a national competition run by Quality Meat Scotland’s Scotch Beef Club and Seafood Scotland.

Head chef at the Rothesay Rooms in Ballater, the new champion overcame five other top chefs in the final cook-off held at Fife College where the contestants had to combine Scotch lamb PGI and seafood from Scotland.

Their dishes were then judged by experienced Scottish chefs and representatives from Seafood Scotland and the National Sheep Association.

Chef Cochrane impressed the panel with his seared Scotch lamb PGI served with shallot, roast corn, pannise, Isle of Mull scallops, young veg, lamb cheek and jus.

“I am absolutely delighted to have won,” he said.

Ciara El-Mansi, marketing executive at Quality Meat Scotland, said the calibre of entries was outstanding and that the chefs had shown off their talent and creative flair.