Old Course Serves Ingredients for Scotland's Future Cuisine

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews is fast becoming home to the very best of Scotland's cooking talent and cuisine.

The five red star resort's suppliers' lunches, recognised by Scotland Food & Drink's Excellence Awards for their innovation in bringing businesses together in partnership, are being developed to showcase Scotland's young chefs.

Following on from Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, the next event is taking place today (Thursday, September 22nd).

Food and beverage director Simon Whitley explained: "Our suppliers' lunch will welcome members of Springboard and their FutureChef programme – working to develop the skills and careers of our country's young and burgeoning chefs.

"This is very close to my heart and we are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile and exciting programme."

Simon runs the hotel's apprentice scheme which has introduced raw talent into the resort's award-winning kitchens and has also nurtured its  own rising star, Ross Marshall, who won Young Chef of the Year at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards in May.

Prior to the lunch, FutureChef alumni Eve Archibald and Rachel Notarangelo will assist Ross in a demonstration for top Scottish food and drink writers.

Eve, who is just 16, reached the National Final in London in 2009, and made it to the Regional Finals last year. She aspires to become a pastry chef and has been working diligently with her mentor chef ever since. She has also secured a job opportunity with a Michelin star restaurant.

Rachel, who is 15, came through the programme this year from an Edinburgh school and competed in the National Finals in London back in March.

Dee Smith, head of programmes at Springboard, said: "Springboard’s FutureChef is the industry's premier culinary competition - helping young people aged 12-16 to learn to cook.

"It provides a unique insight into the world of professional cooking by capturing imagination, recognising talent and providing a potential platform to launch a fabulous career – and we are thrilled to be a part of the planned event where Scotland's best young chef has won so many plaudits."

As well as a presentation from the FutureChef organisation, journalists will also have the exclusive opportunity to speak with Ross, Eve and Rachel after the lunch.

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, has 144 luxurious rooms including 35 suites, and borders the 17th Road Hole of the world-famous Old Course.

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