Perthshire’s culinary kings

May 15 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTHSHIRE has shown itself to be a centre of culinary excellence after a trio of local firms won a host of prizes at the recent Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards (FDEA).

“The Highland Chocolatier” Iain Burnett , based at the Legends of Grandtully coffee house and chocolate shop just outside Aberfeldy, claimed the evening’s Food Service title for his gourmet velvet chocolate truffle.

After returning from the ceremony, held in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum last Thursday (May 7), Iain paid tribute to assistants Calum Burnett and Sandra Batty for helping perfect the recipe over the last two-and-a-half years.

He said: “It’s quite a scary prospect training people up and having to depend on their skills for that length of time – a lot of businesses don’t take that approach anymore.

“We touched on 120 variations of the truffle over 30 months.

“I don’t think we would’ve won if we didn’t push the limits, or invest such time and skill into it.

“There were four or five other businesses on the shortlist so we’re really happy,” he said.

After winning one of the seven retail gongs for their Scottish dry cure bacon, Gary Conacher – director of Dunning’s Simon Howie Butchers – said: “Entering competitions is great because, if you win, it gives the staff extra energy and added motivation.

“The FDEA’s are always great because it means our work is getting recognised and appreciated by people high-up in the industry.

“It’s an exciting time for us at the moment and we’re hoping to win more awards in the near future,” he said.

Madderty firm Summer Harvest completed a Big County hat-trick after their extra virgin, cold-pressed, rapeseed oil was recognised by the judging panel in both the retail and healthy-eating categories.

Owner of the family-run company on Ferneyfold Farm, Mark Bush, said the award was testament to all the hard work carried out since they sold their first bottle on May 28 last year.

He said: “For one product to get two awards is superb. I think Perthshire has got so much great food on offer, from seeds and berries to red meat and fish.

“It’s great so many local companies are entering these competitions and being successful,” he said.

The Scottish Government’s food minister, Richard Lochhead, attended the evening along with around 300 industry figureheads.

Praising the contest, he said: “These awards are a welcome opportunity to showcase our world-class, mouth-watering produce.

“In Homecoming Year what better time to spread the message that Scotland truly is a land of food and drink?” he asked.