Talented young chefs from across the north-east will battle it out to be crowned cream of the crop at this year’s Taste of Grampian.
The inaugural Taste of Grampian Fresh Olive competition, sponsored by Entier and Quality Meat Scotland, will be the latest addition to the popular event on Saturday, June 3.
Four finalists from Entier’s Fresh Olive apprenticeship programme have been selected to go head-to-head in two heats at Taste of Grampian.
Both are being staged in ring 3 at the venue – the Thainstone Centre in Inverurie – with the first round starting at 10am, and the second at 11.15am.
Heat one will see two first-year chef apprentices, Nicole Webster – who celebrates her 17th birthday on the day – and Kieron Kerr, 17 going head-to-head to impress the judges.
The second heat will put Michael Hennessy, 24, a third-year chef apprentice and Rachel Wallace, 17, a second-year chef apprentice to the test in the fight to claim the title of Taste of Grampian Rising Star.
Competitors will be given a mystery bag of ingredients, from which they have to create their own unique dish from to wow the judges – renowned Scottish chef and P&J food writer Lady Claire Macdonald and Andrew Hammer, managing director of Wild Thyme, a catering and events company acquired by Entier.
The winners of both heats will receive a trophy and the title of Taste of Grampian Rising Star from celebrity chef James Martin at 12.15pm.
Entier chief executive Peter Bruce said: “This competition is a great way to showcase our culinary apprentices and their talent as well as help them gain experience, confidence and the opportunity to compete in a public arena.”
Quality Meat Scotland chairman, Jim McLaren, said: “It is very important our up-and-coming young chefs understand the hard work and commitment of Scottish livestock farmers which goes into producing world-class Scottish produce.
“This initiative certainly encourages our young chefs to have a better understanding of all that is behind these brands which are renowned across the globe for their world-leading levels of traceability, assurance and welfare standards.
Entry to Taste of Grampian is £5 for adults and free for children under 16. For more information or tickets to the event, visit www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk.