Chefs Support Orkney Cheddar & Encourage Local Sourcing

Scottish chefs Tom Kitchin, of Michelin starred restaurant The Kitchin and Dominic Jack, of Michelin Rising star restaurant Castle Terrace, have joined a campaign to support Orkney Cheddar.

The friends and restaurateurs are endorsing Orkney Cheddar by encouraging Scots to buy local for their family and have created a number of exclusive, unique recipes for the distinctive cheddar cheese.

Tom and Dominic share more than just a passion and skill for cooking, they have been firm friends throughout their respective careers; from Tom sleeping on the floor of Dominic's flat whilst they both learnt their craft from the Grand Chefs of Paris through to the pair going into business together with the opening of Castle Terrace in 2010, a sister restaurant to The Kitchin in Leith.

With The Kitchin being awarded a prestigious Michelin star in 2007 and Castle Terrace a Rising Michelin star in January 2010, both 6 month after opening are clearly testaments of the chef's talents. Dominic and Tom are an impressive pair and without a doubt two of Scotland's most inspiring chefs.

At both The Kitchin and Castle Terrace, Tom and Dominic showcase great Scottish produce. It was this passion for local ingredients that Orkney wanted to tap into by asking Tom and Dominic to raise awareness for Orkney cheddar by creating inspiring recipes that encourage people to use the cheese alongside other fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Orkney Cheddar has an impressive heritage, it is made at Britain's most northerly creamery in Kirkwall, just quarter of a mile from the North Sea coast. The cheese was first produced after the Second World War when troops who had been posted to the island were sent home, leaving a surplus of milk that became the first Orkney Cheddar.

Although production methods have been modernised since 1946, Orkney Cheddar remains almost wholly owned by the farmers of Orkney, 26 of whom set up a co-operative in 2000 to take over full production of The Orkney Creamery.

Twenty of those farmers still oversee the creamery and the entire process today, from the rearing of the dairy cows right through to the final product...the award winning Orkney Cheddar.

Tom Kitchin says, "Orkney cheddar has a wonderful story to tell; it is the unique properties of the island, namely its lush pasture, and the skilled production method honed over time that contribute to the smooth, mellow taste of this cheddar.  We are lucky to have this product on our doorstep, by choosing Orkney you are feeding the family a part of Scotland's food heritage."

Dominic Jack, "Orkney is a local cheddar to be proud of, produced the old fashioned way by farmers taking care of their land and cattle so that the cheese can take care of them. It is a taste of Scotland that can be enjoyed any time, plus Orkney cheddar has this particular quality that makes it very useful to cook with, it doesn't release too much oil and adds a creaminess and richness to dishes."

Orkney Cheddar is literally a taste of Orkney. The island has a temperature climate, owing to its proximity to the gulf stream, and hence a lush pasture for the cows to feed. Off season the cattle are protected from harsh conditions and housed indoors and fed on home grown turnips, barley and grain from local breweries. It is this heady mix, and the care and skill of the farmers, that produces the unique milk from which the cheese is created.

Tom and Dominic were asked by Orkney to re-create some family favourite meals with the cheese. Their respective skills and friendly rivalry meant that each chef created their own take on each of the dishes.  All recipes are available on the Orkney Cheddar website.

Looking to source local food & drink in Scotland? Try our Buyers' Guide.