Chef from Caithness to represent Scotland in Culinary World Cup
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A chef from Caithness is looking forward to competing at international level as a member of the Scottish team at the Culinary World Cup 2022 in Luxembourg.
Alanna McCarthy, head pastry chef at Meldrum House Country Hotel in Aberdeenshire, says it feels "pretty amazing" to be representing her country at the five-day event taking place at the end of this month.
She will be part of a team of talented chefs from across Scotland taking on their counterparts from more than a dozen countries, aiming to impress a top panel of judges at the Vatel Club.
Alanna (31) attended Watten Primary School and Wick High School and was trained at North Highland College in Thurso. She worked at Mackays Hotel in Wick before moving to Inverness and then to the Aberdeen area.
She lives in Inverurie and has been in her present role for about six months.
Alanna said her work at Meldrum House involves “a bit of everything" but added: "I really love chocolate work. I love doing little moulded chocolate petits fours and that sort of thing."
The Villeroy and Boch Culinary World Cup runs from November 26-30 and the competition is sure to be intense. In one challenge, the team will have to prepare and present a menu using only Scottish ingredients and produce for more than 100 guests in the Restaurant of Nations.
“I've actually worked with two of the team members, Orry Shand and Craig Palmer, and my partner Rory Taylor has been in the team the past couple of years as well," Alanna explained.
“I am quite humble about it but at the end of the day I am representing Scotland in a worldwide competition, which is pretty amazing.
“We've got six hours to prep for the dinner and then it's a dinner service for two hours for 110 people.”
Alanna's parents, Helen and Alan McCarthy, live in Watten.
Scotland's Culinary World Cup team is managed by Scottish Chefs, the country’s only recognised autonomous culinary organisation for chefs.
Scottish Government funding of £20,000 was announced earlier this year to enable 11 Scottish chefs to compete in Luxembourg.
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The Scottish culinary team plays a vital role in the promotion of our national produce and raising awareness of Scotland as a leading food producer.
“I am pleased to announce support for the national team at the Culinary World Cup, which provides an excellent opportunity to enhance Scotland’s food and drink reputation.
“I would like to thank Scottish Chefs for their work in training and nurturing the incredible talent we have in this country and wish the team the very best for the competition.”
