Farmers from Dumfries and Galloway, East Central, Ayrshire and Highlands contribute to unique fare

Farmers and friends of NFU Scotland will be welcomed to the Annual Dinner in St Andrews next week (Monday 9 February) with a fine array of Scottish produce from four regions making up the fantastic menu.

The lamb, potatoes, ice cream, eggs, terrine, cheese and confectionary on offer at this year’s event have all come from Union members and crafted with other Scottish produce into a stunning one-off menu to be prepared by the host chef at the Fairmont Hotel.

The bar has been raised once again by the regions for providing of some of the finest agricultural produce in Scotland, which this year comes from Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Central and Highlands.

Diageo – a global leader in beverage alcohol with an impressive collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine – is the pre-dinner drinks reception sponsor for the event.

NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller commented: “Once again our dinner promises to be a fitting tribute to the hard work, passion and innovation within our food and farming industries.
 
“I congratulate those representing the regions of Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Central and Highlands who have worked so hard to create a feast that delivers a genuine taste of Scotland.
 
“And as always, our thanks are due to those companies who have sponsored or supplied produce for this evening. I would also like to give special mention to the staff of the Fairmont Hotel, for their hard work in making this meal memorable.
 
“As Scottish farmers, we take great pride in how we farm, delivering both traceability and quality in our produce and we deserve our place at the heart of our successful and growing food and drink industry.
 
“The Scottish and British public continue to recognise and support our commitment and we continue to welcome efforts to take our great food and drink message and offering into the wider export markets.

“Global commodity downturns and international food bans make the current climate for growth challenging.  International trade deals will offer both opportunities and impacts. However, this dinner shows that we can have faith in our produce and be justifiably excited as primary producers about the prospects for growth in the years to come.

“The skills and care of Scottish farmers and growers have created the foundations of a Scottish brand which is not only trusted for integrity and safety but provides an exciting food and drink experience.”

Note to Editors

• NFU Scotland’s Annual Dinner will take place on Monday 9 February at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews as part of the Union’s AGM.
• The menu for the dinner is as follows:
  • Starter: A selection of Blair Atholl Watermill Breads; Terrine of pulled chicken with smoked Ayrshire bacon, wrapped in cured ham, plated with pickled sultanas and herb salad
  • Main: Roast rack of Dumfries and Galloway Blackface Lamb, roasted parsnip, carrot and swede, buttered cabbage and a slow cooked lamb shepherd’s pie with Albert Bartlett rooster potato
  • Dessert: Drambuie and raspberry crème brule, Nelsons of Culross dairy farm ice cream, sesame nut wafer and chocolate Kit Kat
  • Cheese: Selection of Scottish cheese, chutney and Highland oatcakes
• Key suppliers for the menu include: Waulkmill Cider, Dumfries and Galloway; Highland Fine Cheeses; United Auctions, Stirling;  Chocolati Ltd, Ayr; Craig Wilson Ltd, Ayr and Newton Stewart; Grewar Farm Vending, Tayside and Fife; Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers’ Mart PLC; Stephens Bakers, Fife; Lime Tree Larder, North Ayrshire; Braehead Foods, Kilmarnock; GC Growers, Ayrshire; Ullapool Bakery; Graham’s the family dairy, Bridge of Allan; Muller Wiseman Dairies; Barwheys Dairy, Ayrshire; Chalmerston Farm Eggs, Ayrshire; St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, Anstruther; Lactalis/Caledonian Cheese Company, Stranraer; Blair Atholl Watermill and Tearoom; Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas; Blackface Sheep Breeders Association; Lawrie and Symington; Harrison and Hetherington Ltd; Nelsons of Culross, Fife; Culisse Highland Rapeseed Oil; Dunbia; Scotherbs, Carse of Gowrie and First Milk.
• The pre-dinner drinks reception sponsor is Diageo:
  • Scotland is one of Diageo’s largest spirit supply centres responsible for producing nearly 50 million cases of leading brands of Scotch whisky and white sprits annually.
    
    It employs more than 4,000 people in Scotland, working in over 50 communities across the country.
    
    It values its long-established relationship with the agricultural sector and grain merchants and recognises the importance of a healthy and sustainable future for the agricultural industry.

Ends

Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108