3 May 2011

3 minute read

Europe

His Royal Highness Prince William and his new bride, Kate Middleton, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they are now known, along with around 650 guests, enjoyed Scotch Beef from Mey Selections at the lunch reception hosted by Her Majesty The Queen, reports Quality Meat Scotland.

The roast fillet of Scotch Beef was served in miniature Yorkshire puddings with horseradish mousse, as part of around 10,000 canapes prepared for the lunch by a team of 21 chefs led by Royal Chef, Mark Flanagan.

The beef was supplied by Mey Selections, which is part of the North Highland Initiative launched in 2005 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. It is understood Mey Selections Scotch Lamb also played a major part in the official celebrations, though details of how and when it was served have not been disclosed.

Mey Selections is the brand created by North Highland Products Ltd to represent the highest quality farm and food products from the North Highlands.

All the products or ingredients are, wherever possible, sourced from within a 100-mile radius of the Castle of Mey, which appears on the Mey Selections brand logo.

The most northerly inhabited castle on the British mainland was acquired in 1952 and lovingly restored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother who spent many happy vacations there over a period of almost half a century.

Quality Meat Scotland chairman, Jim McLaren, said the fact Scotch Beef had been selected for the official Royal Wedding celebrations was a great tribute to the quality of the product.

"The Scottish red meat industry was the pioneer of farm assurance 20 years ago when it set up the world-leading quality assurance schemes which underpin Scotch Lamb, Scotch Beef and Specially Selected Pork," he said.

"The fact Scotch Beef has been selected on such a high-profile occasion is tremendous recognition of the high standards of welfare and livestock husbandry skills behind our lamb, beef and pork."

Caithness farmer, Danny Miller, chairman of North Highland Products, said: "Mey Selections now has around 500 farmer suppliers who are dedicated to delivering top quality produce.

"We supply some very high-profile venues, such as The Goring and RAC Club in London, and it is a fantastic tribute to our hard-working producers in the Highlands that Scotch Beef had pride of place on the menu."

David Whiteford, chairman of The Prince’s North Highland Initiative, said: "It’s great news that products from some of the most remote and fragile areas of Scotland are associated with such a prestigious event.

"One of the aims of the North Highland Initiative is to foster closer connection between farmers, top-quality food producers and consumers and this is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase to the world the quality of the food produced in the Highlands.

"We also very much hope the newly-weds will be able to make a trip to the North Highlands early in their marriage and experience first hand why this beautiful region is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for discerning travellers."

TheCattleSite News Desk