A top Scottish chef gets this year's Ross-shire cookery demonstrations under way today (Wednesday 23 February), when she serves up some of her latest recipes.

Edinburgh chef and food writer Wendy Barrie will demonstrate breakfasts, lunches and 10 minute dinners at Glenmorangie House in Easter Ross to a sell out audience of amateur and professional cooks.

Further demonstrations will take place throughout the year, and will have a particular appeal to those working in the tourism industry, although anyone with an interest in good Scottish food can attend.

A BBC filmcrew will record the first demonstration while following Wendy as part of the popular food and drink programme 'Scotland's Larder', which will be screened later in the Spring.

The demonstrations are being funded by Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network and the European funded LEADER II programme.

Catherine Brady, food and drink development manager at RACE said: "Chefs like Wendy always have fresh and inspiring approaches to working with our top class local ingredients. This can give new and creative ideas to our tourism businesses serving meals to visitors.

Sue Lawrence - a former BBC Masterchef, will hold centre stage at a demonstration in Gairloch on April 29, when she passes on some of her skills and expertise as part of the Gairloch Food Festival.

Other local chefs taking part in the series of demonstrations include Kate Macdonald, of the Old Smiddy, Laide, who scooped the AA's prestigious 'Best Breakfast in Britain' award this year, and Christopher Bentley - a 'Natural Cooking of Scotland' chef and regular of previous Ross-shire food demonstrations.

A new cook book - 'Recipes for a Millennium' - containing 70 traditional and contemporary recipes using local produce will be launched to complement the series of events.

The house chef at the Glenmorangie House by Cadboll - Anne MacKenzie, has been a contributor to the book as well as helping organise today's demonstration. She is also one of very few women in the country to be accepted as a member of the Craft Guild of Chefs at master craft level.

Further information and tickets for future demonstrations can be obtained by contacting Catherine Brady on 01463 772136 or Dinah Bolton on 01349 855234.