Nick Nairn joins First ScotRail to support Scottish food producers
28 August 2008
Food glorious food … Nick Nairn, the celebrity chef and entrepreneur, has teamed up with First ScotRail to encourage its thousands of customers and staff to ‘Eat for Scotland’.
On Sunday (31 August), the train operator will launch a week of activities to highlight the quality of Scottish produce – while giving people the chance to “taste the difference”.
Nairn, a keen advocate of healthy eating, will judge a recipe competition open to First ScotRail’s 4,200 employees across Scotland.
Winners will each get to spend a day at his eponymous Cook School at Port of Menteith near Stirling, where he was born and brought up.
“We’ve invited people to send in their favourite recipes starring Scottish produce,” said the Michelin-star winning chef.
“Old family favourites are ideal - or maybe something more contemporary. Whatever the choice, we want to get people sourcing Scottish food wherever possible.”
During its Eating for Scotland week, First ScotRail will also launch a special Scottish menu on the Caledonian Sleeper from Fort William - featuring 100% natural meals from Simon Howie, the Perthshire-based premium butcher. From starter to cheeseboard, the theme is fresh and sourced in Scotland.
Other plans for the week include a competition for customers to win luxury hampers from Mey Selections in Sutherland and goodie bags for hundreds of First ScotRail staff.
Mary Grant, managing director of First ScotRail, said: “Scottish producers are supporting us by donating samples so that some of our staff can take a taste of Scotland home with them. Hopefully seeking out Scottish suppliers will quickly become second nature. The quality of food is high but the food miles are low – a perfect combination.”
The Eating for Scotland campaign is the brainchild of television presenter Stephen Jardine. He and his family have pledged to eat Scottish food and drink from Burns Night until St Andrews Day.
Stephen Jardine said: ““It’s great that a company the size and calibre of First ScotRail is getting behind my campaign. It’s about eating fresh, local produce, cutting wasteful food air miles and supporting the Scottish economy at the same time.”
Media enquiries:
Clare Meikle/Iain Wilson
First ScotRail
Tel 0141 335 5152 / 4565
NOTES TO EDITORS
More details of First ScotRail’s Eating for Scotland Week are below:
• Scottish dinner on the Caledonian Sleeper: customers travelling on First ScotRail’s Caledonian Sleeper service from Fort William to London Euston will be served a complimentary dinner, subject to availability. Main courses will feature a new range of 100% natural meals by Simon Howie, The Scottish Butcher. Scottish cheeses will round off the meal, enhanced by Henshelwoods Fine Foods’ ‘Chutney for Cheese’.
• Hamper Competition: Two customers will win luxury hampers courtesy of Mey Selections. Winners will each receive a delicious hamper of goodies, featuring prize winning whisky, cheeses, oatcakes, biscuits, honey and preserves.
• Staff Recipe Competition: Staff have been invited to send in their own favourite recipes featuring Scottish ingredients. The winners will be announced w/c 31 August.
• Goodie Bags: Several food producers have kindly donated products to bring a taste of Scotland to First ScotRail customers and employees:
Simon Howie Butchers – www.thescottishbutcher.com
Mey Selections – www.mey-selections.com (products from within 100 mile radius of Castle of Mey, Sutherland)
Albert Bartlett – www.albert-bartlett.co.uk (potatoes and vegetables)
Henshelwoods Fine Foods – www.henshelwoodsfinefoods.co.uk (chutneys and preserves)
Mollinsburn Organics - www.mollinsburnorganics.com (fruit and vegetables)
Mackays – www.mackays.com (jams and preserves)
Walkers Shortbread – www.walkersshortbread.com
Lees of Scotland – www.leesfood.co.uk
Highlander Snacks