TWO of the nation's best-known weather presenters will go head-to-head in a charity cook-off at Quality Meat Scotland's Scotch Kitchen Cookery Theatre at the Royal highland Show.

Set to take place on Saturday, June 24, at 12.45pm, the BBC's Judith Ralston will take on STV's Sean Batty when they are presented with cuts of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb as well as a bag of mystery ingredients with the aim of creating a tasty summer dish in just half an hour. Bryan Burnett will provide the commentary on the action as the pair get to grips with their dishes, with the added challenge of answering questions from the audience on their experiences as weather presenters.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Judith and Sean onto the stand for the cook-off which promises to be great fun. I’m sure there will also be some good questions from the audience, particularly from anyone involved in farming, given how dependent we are on the weather,” said Jim McLaren, QMS chairman.

As part of its PR activities behind Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, QMS has been working on projects with charities which the two presenters have been supporting with fund-raising activities. Judith Ralston has been working with QMS to promote 'The big Scotch Beef sizzle', an initiative devised by Scotland’s Hospices Together to drive a burst of BBQ activity in Scotland during June to raise funds for hospices around the country.

The cook-off will also help to raise awareness of the QMS 2017 show t-shirts which will be available in bright colours displaying the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands.

This year the t-shirts will be on offer for a £2 donation to the STV Children’s Appeal, which helps children in every part of Scotland.

Last year ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly visited an Angus sheep farm and a Dundee butchers as part of the Scotch Lamb activity in support of the Kiltwalk, to raise funds for the STV Children’s Appeal. Sean Batty joined butchers, farmers and QMS staff, including Eunice the Scotch Lamb mascot, during the walk and again during the Live Show in September.