Isles cook-off seeks entries

ENTRIES are now being sought for this year’s Taste of Shetland Cooking Challenge.

This year’s competition, which is now sponsored by EnQuest Sullom Voe, asks food lovers to concoct a three course meal which uses local produce.

Shetland Food and Drink chairwoman Marian Armitage said that “we are thinking about food miles so would like as many of the ingredients to come from either Shetland or Scotland, where possible”.

After a semi-final, three people will be selected to take part in a live final at the Taste of Shetland Festival in Lerwick on 7 October.

The winning prize includes a weekend in Edinburgh with return flights from Loganair and an overnight stay in Porteous’ Studio complemented by a six-course tasting menu at Michelin-starred Restaurant Martin Wishart.

Chef Martin Wishart, who comes from a long line of Shetland Wisharts, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of this celebration of Shetland produce.

“Not only is it great to see how many more Shetland products are coming through onto the market now, but what a great job Taste of Shetland is doing in helping encourage folk to use more local produce.”

Entries should be submitted via the Taste of Shetland website. The deadline for entries is midnight on Sunday 2 September.