The SAYFC North Region hosted the Highland eliminations of the ‘Ready Steady Country Cooks’ competition on Sunday, December 1, at Tain Royal Academy.

The event, generously supported by Forbes Farm Fresh, was judged by Gus Forbes (Forbes Farm Fresh) and Paul Wilson.

Five teams competed for a chance to advance to the National Finals, scheduled to take place during the Competitions Weekend in February in Stirling.

Participants were tasked with preparing dishes within one hour using eight mystery ingredients, including high-quality steak mince provided by Forbes Farm Fresh, alongside peppers and cheese.

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Working without recipe books, teams had to devise their own creations in the style of a ‘ready steady cook’ challenge.

Judging criteria included hygiene, technical ability, teamwork, and the balance, flavour and presentation of their dishes.

Halkirk YFC members Lyndsey Dunnet and Erin McGuire emerged victorious, crafting a gourmet steak mince burger paired with smashed sweet potato fries, followed by a standout cake that captured the judges' attention.

Their thorough preparation and tidy approach earned them first place with a score of 88 out of 100.

Close on their heels were Chloe and Alana Ross of Forss YFC, who secured second place with 87 points, while their fellow Forss teammates, Abbie Mill and James Swanson, took third with 82 points.

Erin Hewitson and Alyssa Gunn of Bower YFC achieved 69 points, followed by Caitlin Coghill and Lexie Swanson with 61 points.

From stuffed peppers to classic mince dishes, the teams showcased impressive creativity and problem-solving skills throughout the competition.

Judges Gus Forbes and Paul Wilson commended all participants for their excellent dishes and praised the teams for working collaboratively to produce such a diverse array of delicious meals.