Taste of Grampian school finalists announced

Competitions hot up for canteen cooks, primary and secondary pupils

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THE finalists have been announced for three school competitions being held at the north-east’s annual food and drink showcase.

Eleven schools are involved in the finals of two contests for primary and secondary pupils at Taste of Grampian.

Four school cooks will also be battling it out at the event, being held at Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre on June 7, for the cook of the year title, sponsored by NHS Grampian.

The primary and secondary competitions are both supported by Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat promotion body.

Primary pupils have been challenged to develop a healthy packed lunch.

Shortlisted primaries are Barthol Chapel, Rothienorman, Drumoak, Premnay, Foveran, Midmar and Walker Road in Torry, Aberdeen.

Meldrum Academy is defending its title in the contest for secondaries. Other shortlisted academies are Kemnay, Inverurie and Peterhead.

They have been challenged to create a two-course meal for an active teenager using ingredients from Grampian. The finalists from each of the schools will be cooking their meal at Taste of Grampian.

The Grampian School Cook of the Year final has four finalists – Jenny Croucher, of Tyrie, near Fraserburgh; Elaine Murray, of Auchterellon, Ellon; Janette Shepherd, of Fishermoss at Portlethen, and Tracey Walker, of Laurencekirk Primary.

The school cooks have to prepare a two-course meal for an 11-year-old on a budget of 80p using local produce. They will cook at the event.

Taste of Grampian is expected to attract more than 100 food and drink-related stands. Celebrity chefs Simon Rimmer and Tony Tobin will be giving demonstrations.

Taste of Grampian is held in association with the McLeish Brothers delicatessen and convenience store chain. It is organised by the ANM Group, Aberdeenshire Council, Grampian Food Forum, Press and Journal and Scottish Enterprise Grampian.