We are the main attraction at Masterchef Lunch

Turnberry Resort on the west Ayrshire coast-most famous for their golf course and hosting the British open recently played host to the prestigiousMaster Chefs of Great Britain Annual Lunch. It was a great honour for Orkney Meat to play an important role in this unique event.

Ralph Porciani (Turnberry’s Director of Operations) said: “We are huge fans of Orkney Meats and wanted to feature Orkney Island Gold Rump as the main course at this big event where we had 225 leading hotel and restaurant chefs and suppliers in attendance”.

The rump, matured to perfection, was served in a simple sauce with a specially devised bone marrow accompaniment and triple cooked chips.

Justin Galea (highly acclaimed Head Chef who devised the dish) said:“The difficulty is more in keeping it simple to highlight the amazing taste of Orkney beef. Quite often chefs find it easier to introduce a dozen components on a plate each vying for first place as the main but to us it's simple, letting fabulous meat speak for itself”.

Justin’s success lies in sourcing the very best of products. He continued: “We have sourced fabulous produce locally and throughout the UK, but it has to be said that one of the finest products I have on our menus is most certainly Orkney Island Gold. Since we discovered it we have tried numerous other beef products, some of which are very fine but I cannot imagine the day when we would choose any other beef to serve in our restaurants. The Lunch went really well and was a lot of fun, from the people I spoke to the beef was received very well and from my end it cooked up a treat, as always”.

Susan McGeever, Secretary for the Master Chefs of Great Britain was delighted with how last Monday’s lunch was received by its discerning guests: “The lunch is the highlight of our calendar and was a great success - the beef was brilliant. 

The Master Chefs of Great Britain is a professional chefs association formed in 1980 to provide a forum for the exchange of culinary ideas and to further the profession through training and guidance to young chefs.

“The association seeks to promote all that is best about British cuisine and produce available in this country to both the chef and the consumer.  The MCGB supports the campaign for healthy eating by encouraging the use of fresh, quality produce in kitchens around the country.  Its members are particularly interested in sourcing local ingredients and in supporting small producers.”

In a year where the Orkney Meat Ltd board has introduced many changes including pursuing new markets in the UK and abroad, Stewart Wood (Chairman for Orkney Meat Ltd) said: “The plans for Orkney Meat Ltd are new and exciting and should forge successful partnerships in the UK and overseas but we want to work more closely with local butchers and catering businesses too, to promote Orkney Island Gold from within Orkney. This summer, we collaborated with Lobban’s Butcher and the Ayre Hotel to feature Orkney Island Gold on the menu in the dining room at the Ayre. We are hugely encouraged by its popularity and success with many customers commenting that our steaks were the best they had ever tasted. We are now working to expand and develop this type of partnership with other establishments going forward.  It is also fundamental that Orkney’s farmers play a part in this.  We will need the cattle and sheep to fulfil our orders once sales in all areas of our business start increasing.”

For further information or to schedule an interview with Orkney Meat please contact Sara Tait on mob. 07793357783 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.