TOP chefs from across Scotland are set to inspire wannabe culinary masters in a series of short films showcasing some wonderful homegrown produce, to celebrate the Year of Food & Drink.

VisitScotland’s Scottish Summer Food Challenge features three of the country’s finest chefs discovering the story behind a great Scottish ingredient before cooking it in their favourite way – in some cases outdoors!

Fred Berkmiller, of L’escargot Bleu restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town, travels to Hugh Grierson Organic at Newmiln Farm, Tibbermore. There he prepares mouthwatering cuts of organic Angus beef, sourced from the lush countryside of rural Perthshire.

Mark Greenaway, owner of Edinburgh’s Restaurant Mark Greenaway, heads to Borders Berries at Rutherford Farm, Kelso, to find out more about one of summer’s finest bounties – the strawberry harvest.

Tom Lewis, owner of Monachyle Mhor hotel and restaurant in Balquhidder, forages for Chanterelle mushrooms in the woods by Loch Doine.

The Challenge aims to encourage viewers to serve up their own culinary creations using Scottish-sourced ingredients and share the images using the Year of Food & Drink hashtag #tastescotland.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “It’s the year of Food and Drink so what better way to celebrate it than by getting some tasty tips from a selection of Scotland’s master chefs as they serve up delicious dishes using a fine array of Scottish-sourced produce.

“Scotland’s reputation for quality food and drink is growing across the world, with exports at a record high, and it’s no wonder with ingredients such as these. Those inspired by our master chefs can get further inspiration from our dedicated online recipe hub.”

Mark Greenaway, of Restaurant Mark Greenaway said: “It was a pleasure to take part in VisitScotland’s Scottish Summer Food Challenge. Scotland has a fantastic and varied natural larder and I hope the fruits of my filming will encourage people to explore what culinary delights can be found on their doorstep and then cook up a storm in the kitchen.”

The Year of Food & Drink celebrates the role that food and drink plays in shaping Scotland’s economic success. Scotland generates more than £2.5 million per day through food and drink tourism.

The films can be found at: http://www.visitscotland.com/blog/food-drink/scottish-summer-food-challenge/