Highland Chef goes Stateside!
Michael Smith
AN INVERNESS born chef who is currently filming for the BBC TV series The Great British Menu has gone Stateside in a bid to highlight the culinary delights the Highlands can offer.
Michael Smith, who is currently the Head Chef of the multi-award-winning restaurant The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye, is the first chef from the Highlands to be invited to Scotland Week. During the seven days, Michael’s mission is to promote Scottish food and cooking, with a special emphasis on the Scottish Islands.
The talented chef went from TV studios in London to TV studios in Toronto on Sunday (April 3) and is headed for radio studios in New York today (April 5).
Michael will be making numerous media appearances in both countries; the highlights being a 15 minute live cookery demonstration on Canada AM (national Breakfast Show) and a Scottish culinary showcase on the world famous Martha Stewart Show, which is available around the world. In addition, he will be working closely with Visit Scotland to cook for a number of private events for some of Canada and America’s most influential travel journalists and business figures. This will culminate in him being amongst the hosts of a private viewing of Whisky Galore in NYC to mark the 70th anniversary of the grounding of the SS Politician on April 7. Michael said: "It is a huge honour to have such an opportunity to add to Scotland’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for fine dining. We have the best produce in the world bar none and it is right that we should shout about it. I’m delighted to be able to play my part."
He added: "I’m especially proud to be the first chef from the Highlands to have been asked by Visit Scotland to take part in Scotland Week."
Scotland’s Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather will be in both Toronto and New York and is thrilled that Michael will be on hand.
Mr Mather said: "It comes as no surprise that Michael Smith is the first chef from the Highlands to represent Scotland in America and I’m sure he will do a fantastic job of raising the profile of the Highlands and Islands as a centre of culinary excellence with growing international standing."
