Aberdeenshire chef wins national seafood competition

AN ABERDEENSHIRE chef has been crowned the winner of a national seafood competition.

Ross Cochrane, executive chef at Ballater’s The Rothesay Rooms, won the #PrideofPlate award with his dish of scallops accompanied with fennel, anchovies, and capers.

The 35-year-old can now look forward to his prize of a week-long stage with Chef Roy Brett at his two AA Rosette-holding seafood restaurant Ondine in Edinburgh.

Speaking about his win, Ross said: “Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me in this competition, and to Seafood Scotland for organising it. I’m honoured to be named winner.

“I’ve been cooking for over 15 years and have always been impressed by the diversity and versatility of Scottish seafood. Cooking, to me, is about figuring out how to get the best out of each ingredient. I look forward to working alongside Roy Brett and learning from his expertise in seafood.”