Young Scottish Chef of the Year Supports FutureChef

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews this week played host to the best of Scotland’s up-and-coming young cooking talent.

Ross Marshall, Young Scottish Chef of the Year and head chef at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa - ably assisted by FutureChef alumni Eve Archibald and Rachel Notarangelo - cooked up a storm for Scottish food and drink writers at the five Red Star resort.

FutureChef is Springboard's initiative to help young people aged 12 to 16 learn to cook. It inspires them to explore food and cooking as a life skill by developing their culinary talent and informing them about entry routes into the hospitality industry.

The Fife resort's suppliers' lunches, recognised by the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards for their innovation in bringing businesses together in partnership, have been developed to showcase the new relationship with Springboard’s FutureChef programme.

In the unique setting of the award-winning Road Hole Restaurant overlooking the Old Course's iconic 17th fairway, Rachel and Eve assisted Ross in preparing a delicious three-course menu, using the very best local and regional produce.

The lunch started with Crab Salad with a Slow Cooked Hen’s Egg & Baby Gem Espuma, followed by a main of Puddledub Farm Pork Belly, Black Pudding Bonbon, Pomme Puree & Apple Gel, and finished off with a delightful Blackberry Soufflé & Pear Ice Cream.

Food and beverage director Simon Whitley explained: "One of my passions is working to develop the skills and careers of our country's young and burgeoning chefs.

"We are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile and exciting programme, and Rachel and Eve did a tremendous job helping Ross in the kitchen today."

FutureChef also helped launch head chef Ross Marshall’s nationwide recipe competition which is being sent to all secondary schools throughout Scotland, inviting pupils to take part in creating and submitting their very best recipe.

The entries will be judged by Ross himself with the most creative and innovative young chefs invited to attend a special event at the resort on Saturday, 26th November during the St Andrews Festival weekend.

Dee Smith, head of programmes at Springboard, said: "Our partnership with the resort is very fruitful, and the lunch today was a fantastic platform for Eve and Rachel to demonstrate their skills working with the best young chef in Scotland.

"We are looking forward to the results of Ross’s competition and on developing opportunities to showcase the work of young Scottish chefs at the resort in the future."

The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and 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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