Scottish food producers hope to build on 'world cup'

SIX Scottish food and drink companies are heading out to France this week to ply their wares at the Bocuse d'Or - the cooking world cup.

Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scotland Food & Drink are leading the delegation of producers to Lyon for "Sirha", one of Europe's largest food service exhibitions, which runs alongside the Bocuse d'Or.

Chefs from all over the world will be cooking using Scotch Lamb and Scottish monkfish, brown crab and langoustines at the culinary Olympics, following a campaign by trade bodies Quality Meat Scotland and Seafood Scotland.

The six companies - Frozen at Sea, Loch Duart, Millers of Speyside, Scotbeef, the Scottish Salmon Company and Scottish Sea Farms - have received grants from SDI to attend the event,

Anne MacColl, who was appointed as chief executive of SDI in December, said: "The fact that the world's top chefs will be showcasing Scottish produce in their menus as they compete to be crowned world champion, provides a huge opportunity for Scottish companies to take advantage of the spotlight and show their wares to an international audience. The food and drink industry contributes heavily to the Scottish economy, with exports worth 3.6 billion. This event is just one element of a wider programme to help the industry exploit opportunities."