First ever Eat Scottish Venison Day a success

September saw the launch of the first ever Eat Scottish Venison Day. The day was celebrated with a stalkers’ breakfast prepared al fresco on Atholl Estate by award-winning chef Tom Lewis of Monachyle Mhor, Balquidder.

The day marks the beginning of a three year initiative, developed by the Scottish Venison Working Group, to increase consumer and trade demand, continue to raise venison standards and encourage producers to bring more venison to the market – not just from red deer but also from sika and roe, the bulk of which currently goes for export to Europe.

For more information, see the Scottish Venison website, www.scottish-venison.info. On the site, you can find out where to buy and eat Scottish venison, get terrific recipes, and read about the health benefits and quality assurance of Scottish venison.

Chef Tom Lewis says: “Chefs have always recognised that Scottish venison is a great product, as it is delicious, nutritious, easy to cook and you can be as creative as you like. It is a very versatile meat, which lends itself to all types of cooking, from exotic meals to simple fare and from posh dinners to family tea.”

The Scottish Venison Working Group includes:

• The Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG)
• The British Deer Farmers Association (BDFA)
• The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS)
• Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS)
• The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA)
• Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV)