NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND MEDIA RELEASE

16 January 2009

Top Scottish chef Nick Nairn gives Trust a true taste of Burns

Internationally acclaimed Scottish chef Nick Nairn has revealed his top recipes for the perfect Burns Supper to help fans across the globe have a memorable meal on 25 January 2009, the 250th anniversary of the bard’s birth.

Available exclusively on the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk/NickNairn, the recipes – a twist on the traditional meal - show the TV star’s deep love for Scottish produce and Robert Burns. The chef was delighted to share these previously-unpublished recipes –which he first used in a New York Burns Supper – to show his support for the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

The supper consists of:

Hot Smoked Salmon from the Isle of Uist, Avocado Salsa and Lobster Oil
MacSween’s Haggis, Bashed Neeps and Chappit Tatties
Roast Loin of Venison, Skirlie Potatoes, Braised Red Cabbage, Game & Blaeberry Sauce
Hot Whisky & Marmalade Pudding, Drambuie Custard.
 


Nick said:

“Burns Night is a great time to gather with family and friends, and raise a glass to Scotland’s bard.

“The traditional Burns Supper menu consists of cock-a-leekie soup; haggis, neeps and tatties; finished off with some clootie dumpling, however after many years of being invited to serve a good supper, I’ve found myself using it as an opportunity to celebrate Scottish ingredients with still a nod to tradition.

“I served this menu at a Burns Supper in New York a number of years ago and it was appreciated by guests from both sides of the Atlantic. As a celebration of Scottish produce it’s a menu that can be enjoyed by anyone, year-round.

“The Year of Homecoming gives us the chance to celebrate all things Scottish, and it’s fitting that in the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth that the National Trust for Scotland is developing the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.”

Nick, a self-taught chef, rose to fame in the 1990s after becoming the youngest chef to win a Michelin star in Scotland. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength as a chef, an ambassador for Scottish food and TV presenter. He has also set up the highly praised Nick Nairn Cook School.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Burns Project Curator, David Hopes said:

“Nick’s recipes make this appear a very simple set of dishes, but incredibly tasty.

“For people who don’t get to make this on 25 January and are fretting that it really needs to be on a Burns-related night, they should take comfort in the fact that the first Burns night was actually in July. It was only afterwards that it was moved to the traditional date.”

Ends

Issued by DADA on behalf of the National Trust for Scotland

For further information please contact:
Craig McGill craig.mcgill@dada.co.uk / 0141 222 2266/ 07703 175 151
National Trust for Scotland Press office:
Sarah Cuthbert-Kerr/ 0844 493 2483/ 07713 786 277

Editor’s Notes:

1.The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is the largest, most ambitious project the charity has ever undertaken. It will cost in the region of £21m and this is made up of:

· £5.8m Heritage Lottery Fund 
· £5.5m contribution from the Scottish Government
· £250,000 from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire
· Land in Alloway with an estimated worth of £2.885m from South Ayrshire Council
· Trust responsible for raising a total of £7m – approx £4 million remaining.

2.The Burns Monument Trust generously donated a series of important assets to the National Trust for Scotland, including the Burns Birthplace Cottage, an irreplaceable collection of items and original manuscripts, and other assets including the iconic Burns monument.

3.The new 1600m² museum building will provide space for the Burns collections, their interpretation and storage, as well as space for visitors and space for learning. The building will provide an exhibition area of 500m² compared to 120m² in the existing museum.

4.Companies interested in donations or fundraising for the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum should contact Georgina Pearson at DADA on 0141-222-2266 or georgina.pearson@dada.co.uk.

5.Donations can also be made via www.nts.org.uk/Burns/CelebrateBurns

6.The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.

7.You can join the National Trust for Scotland for as little as £5 per month for a family. To become a member, visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Join/Benefits.