An Talla in Dochgarroch, near Inverness welcomes MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin for cooking event
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A VISITOR centre and cafe near Inverness was packed with cooking enthusiasts as the finalist of one of the most popular cooking TV shows showcased some of her recipes last night.
MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin, from Inverness, put on a show at An Talla in Dochgarroch last night (June 30) in front of a crowded and cheerful room.
The event saw Ms Rankin take the participants through two of her recipes based on fresh Scottish produce, with a scallop-based recipe and a goats cheese and beetrot plate being prepared.
Some lucky members of the audience were able to taste her creations, however participants were served a selection of comfort food with a gourmet twist curated by An Talla's head chef Stuart Matheson.
During the event, Ms Rankin said: “It's lovely to be back in Inverness. I know a lot of people here so it was nerve-wracking when they started coming in.
“It's much more terrifying than being on the show.
"I love talking to people and just explaining about the process and having a bit of a laugh with people.
“Sometimes with cooking people are a bit nervous because they don't know how to do this or that.
“But it really is just a glug of this and a glug of that and just eat what you like. Make it fun and relaxed.”
This event was a first-off for the venue, and organisers plan to have more
Marketing manager Kelly MacKenzie said: "We loved to have Sarah here. She really mirrors An Talla's ethos of shop local support local.
"This is our first event of this sort and it's been a tremendous success and we always enjoy having locals here but it feels great when people make the effort to come out in the evening like tonight.
"It's given us a really good feel for future events. It opens up a door for more intimate events, there is an appetite for cooking events and Sarah seems to be such a good fit for the Inverness area being from here, she has a great rapport and it all felt very comfortable.
"It will be great to get other personalities and chefs to come along in the future."
Sponsor of the event was Great Glen Gin from nearby Drumnadrochit.
A spokeperson said: ‘It is a privilege to be asked by An Talla by Jacobite to sponsor the cocktail for an evening with Sarah Rankin.
"It is great to get local people and businesses together and showcase at An Talla what the area has to offer .
"We have so many world class producers right here around Inverness/ Loch Ness and being part of it is a tremendous honour.''
