Tom Kitchin Congratulates Perthshire Farmers on Launch of Innovative Food Charter

Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin, one of Scotland’s most inspirational celebrity chefs, has congratulated Perthshire’s food and farming community for launching an innovative new “Food Charter”.

Perthshire Agricultural Society has developed the new Food Charter for Perth Show, which takes place on August 5th and 6th, with support from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Scotland Food & Drink.

Perth Show, held on Perth’s South Inch, will this year for the first time host Perthshire on a Plate, the area’s largest food festival, organised by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce. The two-day festival’s partnership with Perth Show is set to create a unique annual event to showcase top quality produce from the local area, as a double celebration of food and farming.

Chef Kitchin, who regularly appears on Saturday Kitchen and The One Show,  joined Hector Campbell, Chairman of Perthshire Agricultural Society, at Balthayock farm on the outskirts of Perth to formally launch the Food Charter.

The Charter will mean that, where possible, suppliers to the public catering and hospitality at the event will be required to serve only locally-produced food, such as quality assured Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork.

As well as meeting many of those involved in the Perth Show/Perthshire on a Plate initiative, Chef Kitchin was also introduced to Ugie Echo, a magnificent six year old Charolais stock bull, who has won several top prizes at Perth Show in recent years and sired many high flying sons. The chef, who started his career at Perth College UHI, also met Scott Smith, one of the college’s hospitality students who will be involved at this year’s event.

Chef Kitchin, whose cooking philosophy is “From Nature to Plate”, has a passion for using the finest, freshest Scottish seasonal produce in his Michelin star restaurant The Kitchin, as well as Edinburgh gastro pub The Scran & Scallie.

He said: “Huge congratulations to all those involved in the Perth Show and Perthshire on a Plate Food Charter initiative.”

“Scotland has an incredible natural larder and we should be proud to showcase this fantastic local produce. The quality and flavour of Scotch Beef and Lamb is second to none and it’s important that people understand the care and attention to detail involved in the production of these quality ingredients – I’m sure this year’s event will be a huge success and will play a vital role in raising awareness.”

Jim McLaren, Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, said QMS was pleased to be supporting the Perthshire on a Plate/Perth Show Food Charter initiative.

“One of the challenges we face as an industry is lack of understanding by consumers of the benefits of buying quality, local produce and this year’s Perth Show promises to be an excellent opportunity to inspire, entertain and educate the public through a fabulous celebration of food and farming.”

Perthshire on a Plate will be the area’s largest food festival, celebrating the very best in local produce and culinary talent. “Perthshire On A Plate is set to become an annual showcase for the finest local produce and we’ll be pulling out all the stops to ensure this first joint event with Perth Show is a huge success,” said Vicki Unite, Chief Executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.

“Visitors to the event will be able to see celebrity and local chefs and demonstrations and tastings. There will also be book signings, food and drink related trade stands and fun-filled activities for “Kitchen Kids” as well as a large dining area and pop-up restaurants.”

And Neil Forbes, Secretary of Perthshire Agricultural Society, said the Show, now in its 154th year, will continue to feature top livestock from the area.

“Perth Show is the third largest of Scotland’s agricultural shows and attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year’s show will continue to feature many of the traditional aspects of agricultural shows, valued by generations of farmers, as well as the new and exciting visitor attractions, including the Cookery Theatre and food and drink marquee.”

Caption: Pictured with Tom Kitchin (centre) are from left: Vicki Unite (Chief Executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce); Major David Walter of Balthayock Farms (and Vice-President of Perthshire Agricultural Society); Scott Smith, Hospitality Student, Perth College; Charolais bull Ugie Echo; Hector Campbell (chairman of Perthshire Agricultural Society); Carol McLaren, Head of Communications with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS); and Neil Forbes, Secretary of Perthshire Agricultural Society.