Professional Cookery students at Fife College played a starring role at a recent event to find the Scotch Lamb PGI Surf ‘n’ Turf Chef of the Year.

The national competition, run jointly by Quality Meat Scotland‘s Scotch Beef Club and Seafood Scotland, saw five top chefs from across Scotland battle it out in a final cook-off held at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus.

Held earlier this month, the competition challenged the talented chefs to design creative dishes which combined two of the top ingredients of Scotland’s outstanding larder – Scotch Lamb PGI and seafood from Scotland.  The dishes were then judged by experienced Scottish chefs and representatives from Seafood Scotland and the National Sheep Association.

Advanced Certificate Professional Cookery students from the College played their part at the final by helping the competitors familiarise with the facilities and supporting them throughout the event.

Ross Cochrane, Head Chef at the Rothsay Rooms in Ballater, came out on top, impressing judges with his Seared Scotch Lamb PGI served with shallot, roast corn, pannise, Isle of Mull scallops, young veg, lamb cheek and jus dish. 

Chef Cochrane was presented with the prestigious title at the annual Scottish Chef’s Conference where Scotch Beef PGI was served along with other Scottish produce in a street-food style banquet.

Lindsey Robertson, Curriculum Manager for Culinary Arts at Fife College, said:

“To see professional chefs from across Scotland, who are at the top of their game, competing at the Levenmouth Campus was a fantastic privilege for our students.  The event gave them a real insight into the intensity of working under pressure to produce a unique dish under competition rules. 

“The facilities at Levenmouth are excellent for this type of event and we hope to play host to similar events in the future.”

Looking to cook up a career in professional cookery and hospitality?  Start your journey in January with SVQ Professional Cookery level 4 places available in Halbeath and Levenmouth campuses.

For further details about Culinary Arts and Hospitality courses at Fife College, visit our course pages.