Jean-Christophe Novelli hails ‘truly exceptional' local produce at Taste North
Jean-Christophe Novelli has praised Taste North 2019 as “absolutely fantastic” and described the quality of local produce as "truly exceptional".
The Michelin-starred French chef was the special guest at mainland Scotland's most northerly food and craft festival, which attracted a crowd of around 1600 to a very blustery John O’Groats on Sunday.
There was standing room only in the Taste North Cookery Theatre where Jean-Christophe conducted a series of three demonstrations using high-quality local ingredients.
The nearby exhibitors' market was filled with food and drink producers and artisan crafts from across the Highlands and Islands, while the event also had activities for children.
Jean-Christophe, who came to Britain in 1983, charmed the audience at each of his cookery sessions and was clearly delighted to be part of Taste North 2019.
“It’s absolutely fantastic," he said. "It’s really worth the trip and the time it takes to come as far as this wonderful part of the world.
“I’m not bothered by the wind or the rain – the thing is you’ve got great produce and wonderful people. There is an amazing spirit.
“I had a few little issues with my hobs and pans and whatever, but who cares? The most important thing is to have a great time."
Jean-Christophe was full of praise for the array of local produce in the exhibitors' market.
“I have been absolutely impressed – the cheese, the meat, the fudge, the whisky, the gin. The quality is just unbelievable," he said.
"As a chef, to see food and drink being produced to such a high standard is wonderful. The quality of the produce is truly exceptional.”
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27 / 27Now in its fifth year, Taste North is event-managed by tourism cooperative Venture North.
Venture North director Ellie Lamont said: “We are delighted with our fifth Taste North. The exhibitors had a great day and the visitors had a fun time tasting and buying.
"Past visitors brought their shopping bags with them knowing the high quality of produce that would be at the event. The audience loved Jean-Christophe Novelli.”
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and a Venture North board member, said: "Jean-Christophe was particularly engaging and was happy to go around and talk to people. Considering the weather we were delighted with the turnout and there has been great feedback too."
I had a few little issues with my hobs and pans and whatever, but who cares? The most important thing is to have a great time.
The annual baking competition, the Taste North Challenge, returned this year with support from Developing the Young Workforce North Highland, the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and Mackays Hotel, Wick.
The competition had a record number of entries with Jean-Christophe leading the judging panel to decide on winners Katie Carlisle (11), of Pennyland Primary School, in the youth category and Jodie Wilson in the open category. Jodie was also crowned overall winner.
"I’m just delighted to win against such stiff competition," Jodie said. “I’m thrilled.”
Katie said: “I am extremely surprised as I didn’t think I would win. My mum inspired me to do this. I love baking and do it as often as I can.”
The exhibitors' market was busy throughout the day.
Exhibitor Ruth Falconer of Caithness Chocolate said: “We’ve been coming to the Taste North festival since the first event in 2015. Taste North is a fantastic showcase of local produce with a great atmosphere and overall is an extremely well supported event.”
Trisha Sutherland of Caithness Summer Fruits said: "It’s great to speak to the end consumer at Taste North and to see people from the whole region coming together.”
Jussi Stader of Jumping Goats Dairy was similarly pleased. “Taste North is always a great event," she said. "It has been another busy day and I have enjoyed speaking to locals and visitors to the area.”
Wick-based Hannah Cambridge had a range of mugs, textiles, place mats and gin labels that carried her colourful illustrations. "I illustrated the last creative collection for Rock Rose and I'm currently working on a local business advert for the cinema," she said.
Cara Young from Puffin Croft farm shop, John O'Groats, said: "I have brand new hand and body lotion in three fragrances which I make on the croft. The lemongrass and ginger has already sold out so things have been going well."
David Carter and his wife Cheryl had bottles of Hellsmouth rum on display.
"We're a new company and this is our third outing this year," David said. "Hellsmouth is a stretch of water between Caithness and Orkney and was called that because it was so treacherous.
"We've had a really good day with steady interest."
Karen Davies from Whaligoe Steps Café said: "Business is going well. We have various events happening throughout the county and will be working with Lyth Arts Centre again too."
Yvonne Macrae had travelled from Hill of Fearn near Tain with a collection of colourful textiles from her company, Tartan Creations.
"I've been in business nearly 20 years and we did the Mey Highland Games up here recently as well," she said. "These events work really well for us since it's an accessory range for sale and I make the majority of them. I've got four tartans and tweeds that belong solely to the company."
Gary Williamson, marketing manager with Inverness-based Williamson Foodservice, may not have had products for sale on the day but his company forms an important bridge between local companies and shops.
"A lot of the local producers are not so easy to see and we can give them exposure through marketing," he said. "We're here to show that we're an important part of the mix and to meet people in the industry and find out what their needs are."
Cairn Hill Agriculture had a stand with various cuts of meat and had supplied the steak for one of Jean-Christophe's demonstrations. "Things have been going really well and Jean-Christophe was very impressed with our meat," David Bullivant said.
Venture North chairperson Catherine MacLeod said: "It has been fantastic. Caithness and Sutherland people have turned out in droves in spite of the inclement weather. It certainly didn't seem to dampen their enthusiasm."