MEMBERS OF the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs are hoping to impress judges with their culinary talents over the coming weeks as they battle it out in a national cooking competition.

SAYFC members have been challenged to create a main dish using Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork, along with a selection of mystery ingredients, in the Scotch Kitchen Country Cook competition, which is being supported by Quality Meat Scotland.

The young farmers will compete in pairs, in regional heats across Scotland. Four finalist teams will then compete in front of a crowd of spectators in live cook-offs at the QMS stand at the Royal Highland Show. The final heats will take place on the Thursday and Friday of the show, with the final taking place on the Saturday.

Entrants will only have one hour to cook up their creation from the eight ingredients supplied. They will be judged not only on taste but teamwork, technical skills and the appearance of the dish.

QMS chief executive Alan Clarke said: “We’re delighted to be supporting SAYFC’s national cooking competition during Scotland’s Year of Young People and we’re looking forward to hosting the finals on our RHS stand."

SAYFC CEO Penny Montgomerie said: “We are delighted to partner with QMS for the Scotch Kitchen Country Cook competition, it’s a great opportunity for our members to show their skills cooking with the meat they are so proud to produce."