Top celebrity chef Nick Nairn swapped his restaurant kitchen and TV cameras for a stint at Tulloch Castle last week (Thursday 21 November) to help Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) showcase Highland food produce and demonstrate the importance of staff training.

In true Ready Steady Cook style he took just forty-five minutes to prepare five courses in front of an audience of chefs, hoteliers, B&Bs and guest house owners from Ross-shire.

Using smoked salmon from Summer Isles Food, Highland Wild Boar, beef from JM Munro, and Keltic Seafare's fresh langoustines and scallops, he demonstrated what could be done with the right ingredients. 

He said:  "The Highlands has some fantastic, wholesome produce and it's great to have the chance to come up here and meet the producers face to face.

"It's obvious from the turnout here today that tourism is a major industry in Ross and Cromarty and I hope I've managed to show them just what can be done with the produce on their doorstep.  It's been a great day and I must thank the organisers and most importantly, my two able assistants - Sandy Ham and Colin Gunn from the North Highland College catering school."

The event was organised by RACE as a platform for Ross-shire food producers and also to give people from the tourist industry the chance to find out more about the company's autumn tourism training programme. Gordon Cox, chief executive was delighted with the event:

"It's a pleasure to have Nick Nairn here today.  I think he has been a real inspiration to everyone and I know he is impressed with the quality of produce he worked with.

"This event is all about getting food producers and tourism representatives together to demonstrate the importance of skills and training, and to show just how our tourism training programme can help them. 

"Ross-shire has many fine quality food and drink producers and that was evident today by the 13 stands in the exhibitors hall, but we want to ensure they are getting the support they need from us in terms of training.  It's also important to give them the opportunity to show off their wares in front of local tourism representatives and encourage them to foster close relationships.

"Fourteen secondary school pupils who have shown an interest in catering as a career were also at the event and I hope they have been inspired to pursue a career in catering or tourism as a result."

For further information on the RACE Tourism Training Programme please contact Helen Mackie on 01463 791442.