This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Royal Highland Show
23/06/2006
Pupils from two schools demonstrated their cookery skills at the Royal Highland Show today before travelling south to take part in the finals of a UK competition
Deputy Food Minister Rhona Brankin sampled recipes created by pupils from Kemnay Academy in Aberdeenshire who have won prizes in the UK wide Active Kids Get Cooking (AKGC) scheme, which is sponsored by Sainsbury's and which encourages cooking and healthy eating in school.
Kemnay were the secondary school winners in Scotland, while Newmains in Renfrew were the primary school winners.
The Minister said:
"One of the most important aims of the Executive's Healthy Living policy is to improve the diet of children and to do that you must develop their interest in food.
"The Active Kids Get Cooking (AKGC) challenge aims to do just that and the number of youngsters who have taken part in the competition proves they have succeeded in stimulating the imagination of school pupils.
"Learning about healthier foods is a very important part of our 'Hungry for Success' programme - a programme endorsed by Jamie Oliver who will congratulate the winners in person later this month in London."
Finalists from all over the UK will go to London on Tuesday to meet Jamie Oliver and be presented with certificates and take part in a cook-off to decide the overall UK winner.
Ms Brankin also announced the winners of another competition sponsored by Tesco/McIntosh Donald - to find Scotland's finest sirloin steak.
1. Ali Martin of Gillchrist Farming Company, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire.
2. Ian Morrice of Strichen, Fraserburgh.
3. John and Suzanne Wilson of Saline, Fife.
The Minister said:
"I am pleased to present the prizes today for these award winning steaks. This competition illustrates the high quality of beef we produce in Scotland.
"We have even more to celebrate this year as Scotch beef returns to European menus after the lifting of the ten year ban on British beef exports. Once again Scotch beef looks set to enjoy its previous reputation of one of world's top quality products and is now available for everyone to enjoy."
There were 164 cattle entered for the competition, sponsored by Tesco/McIntosh Donald, from Producer Club members throughout Scotland of which 12 were selected for the tasting competition at the Show.
Of the finalists, 10 were from the North East and two were from Fife. These comprise six Charolais crosses, five Limousin crosses and one Simmental cross.
Tasting and judging was done by:
- John Kinnaird, President, NFU Scotland
- Alasdair Fletcher, Editor, Scottish Farmer
- Chris Ling, Beef and Lamb Buyer, Tesco
- Colin Capon, chef