A spectacular platter of treats was served up for the Princess Royal as she officially opened a new training kitchen in Moray yesterday.
Youngsters prepared delicacies including sweet potato chocolate brownies, purple potato fish pie and kale seasoned with paprika to welcome the princess to the Inkwell at the Elgin Youth Cafe.
After a tour of the new kitchen she praised the investment in the £300,000 training centre, aimed at boosting the cooking skills of secondary school pupils.
A highlight of the visit was seeing the pedal power of bicycles harnessed to spin the blades of a blender to mix smoothies.
Connor Mcnulty (correct) and Megan Lockey, both 12, created exotic mixes of bananas, strawberries, mangoes, pears and blueberries before showing the princess the innovative process for blending them.
Connor said: “She really liked the bike, she said she had never seen anything like it before.”
And the royal contingent also took away a copy of the recipe for sweet potato chocolate brownies, as created by Elgin Academy pupil Chelsea Watson.
The 12-year-old said: “It sounds weird but they’re actually really nice. They were quite interested in finding out about the health benefits of it.
“One of the ladies asked to take away the recipe, which is quite scary to think about really.”
The Inkwell cafe aims to promote healthy living among youngsters who attend weekly training sessions.
Kitchen manager Penny Hamilton said the children had come up with their own recipes in advance of the royal visit.
She said: “We really ask them what they want to do, what they like cooking, and then let them go out and explore them.
“They come in with suggestions of what they would like to do and we will maybe adapt them to make them healthier.
“One of our main aims is trying to promote healthy cooking and eating.”
The Princess Royal was greeted at the door of the Elgin Youth Cafe by Duncan Dunbar-Nasmith, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Moray and a former director of the group.
After asking volunteers and staff about the work they do at the centre she was shown pictures detailing the extensive refurbishment done at the Inkwell.
Before leaving the princess unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit, following in the footsteps of her brothers Prince Charles and Prince Edward who have previously toured the Elgin Youth Cafe.
But before getting back into the royal cavalcade of vehicles she was presented with a bouquet of Scottish flowers by Elgin Academy pupil Emily Burns, 16, and a hand-made wooden card.
Addressing the staff and volunteers, the princess said: “I must congratulate you on everything you have achieved so far and hope you continue to be here in years to come.
“It’s a real investment in the young people who will continue to come here in the future as well as those who have come before.”
