Top London chefs experience Mey Selections' award winning produce
On a trip organised and hosted by Mey Selections, and with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, ten top London chefs have experienced for themselves just what it is about the North Highlands that produces award winning food and drink.
Keen to support young local talent and develop skills for the next generation, Mey Selections arranged with the North Highland College at Thurso for their catering students to prepare an informal lunch for the visiting chefs. The students rose to the challenge with gusto and as Lisa Sutherland, Senior Sous Chef at The Sheraton, Park Lane, commented, "These students are an excellent example of the skills base and enthusiasm alive in this area."
During their trip the chefs also enjoyed a private tour of the Castle of Mey. A watercolour painting of the castle by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay is reproduced on all Mey Selections products.
Other highlights of the visit included:
- An early morning visit to Scrabster Seafoods where they were able to meet Managing Director William Calder and see for themselves the quality of the fish and shellfish, as well as observe the daily Fish Market
- A visit and discussion with Danny Miller, Chairman of Mey Selections, at his beef farm at Bilbster, near Wick
- A Tour of Old Pulteney Distillery at Wick
- Cheese tasting and discussions with Rory Stone at his creamery near Tain
- A trip to Struan Apiaries near Conan Bridge, where prize-winning honey maker Hamish Robertson and his sons produce Mey Selections honeys.
Tracy Waters, Business Development Manager for Mey Selections explained, "It is less than four years since Mey Selections was formed by Caithness farmers, inspired by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, to select and source supplies of the highest quality farm, marine and food products from the North Highlands. In that time the brand has attracted not only a host of awards and interest from consumers around the UK, but it has succeeded in supporting the economic development of the area and our aim is to continue to build on this success.
"We are proud that these London chefs, and the hoteliers, farmers and fishers and food producers in the North Highlands can get to know each other a bit more through this trip - and that customers in London can taste our products."
Derek Quelch, Head Chef of the leading London Goring Hotel, said, "During this visit we have been privileged to meet some of the farmers, fishermen and fine food producers who so obviously care for their environment and the sustainability of food production in the area."
Philip Corrick, Head Chef of the Royal Automobile Club, commented, "I am certain I speak for the rest of the group when I say that the North Highlands is unique in the UK in being able to deliver time after time, such a variety of quality produce – be it beef, lamb, mutton, seafood, cheese or bakery products, and much more. The winning combination of the unspoilt environment together with the care and traditional skills employed by the region’s fine food producers creates wonderful ingredients and products which consistently deliver on taste and performance. I, for one, am happy to include them in our menus and offer them to the guests in our restaurants".
The formation of North Highland Products and the creation of the Mey Selections brand are direct results of the North Highlands Initiative inspired by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, which was launched in August 2005 to boost the economy of the region.
Posted 12th May 2009
