Budding chefs sampled some fishy delights in Elgin yesterday as part of a project to encourage more people to get cooking with local produce.
Elgin Academy students learned how to make smoked haddock fishcakes in the Elgin Youth Café kitchen as part of the Moray Firth Partnership’s Seafood – See Here! initiative.
The scheme is aimed at making Scottish seafood more readily accessible to local communities, and the demonstration was delivered by Mike Crook, of Good Highland Food.
Speaking during the class, Mr Cook said: “We are delighted to be able to assist by teaching local young people how to make a simple yet delicious dish. Cooking is so relaxing, and we have got some of the finest produce in world here along the Moray Firth.
“The figures I last heard were 80% of the fish landed in Moray are exported, but 80% of the fish we eat are imported. That needs to change. We have become a society obsessed with convenience and ready meals, but it’s so easy to eat well without all the added salt, sugar and additives. If you can read, you can cook.”
Kathryn Logan, manager of Moray Firth Partnership, said: “We want to make it easier for people to access locally-caught produce, rather than rely on imported species.
“The new Seafood – See Here! website will be launched soon and will provide information about local, seasonal and sustainable seafood and an interactive map to help people find their nearest suppliers, whether it’s from a fish van, fishmonger, supplier or a seafood restaurant or café. We would encourage businesses promoting locally-caught seafood to get in touch with us so we can include their details on the site.”