A local man has taken home three culinary trophies after competing in a major food contest.
John McCruden, who is the head the chef at The Café at Logie Steading, battled it out against 24 other competitors across the categories to secure two wins and a runner’s up place at the Cullen Skink World Championships.
John secured wins in the Cullen Skink with a Twist category, The People’s Choice and also came runner up in the main Cullen Skink award.
He wowed the judges and audience with his ‘twist’ entry which was Cullen skink accompanied by Longhorn beef, lobster and saffron ravioli served with poached quails’ eggs and a parmesan tuile.
John who lives in Auldearn was left gobsmacked, as it was his first time entering a culinary cooking contest.
He said: “I am obviously absolutely delighted but I really didn’t expect to be walking away with three trophies. There were people competing who have done it year on year, and have been previous champions, so the competition was stiff. This is the first time I have ever entered anything like this, so to be walking away with two wins and a runner’s up trophy is really brilliant.”
John added: “It was such a great day, and it was so nice chatting to everyone about the food. One of things we pride ourselves on at the café is using as much local produce as possible. The inspiration to add the ravioli to the Cullen Skink came rom Logie Steading itself where they rear the Longhorn cattle. It’s an amazing product to work with and as a chef, having that quite literally on the doorstep of the café kitchen is amazing.”
John added: “Cullen Skink is always on the menu at the café and my colleagues and customers were the ones who encouraged me to take part. We get lots of great feedback about it, so I thought I would just give it ago.”
For the Cullen Skink trophy, a panel of four judges conducted a blind taste test to determine the ultimate champion and the competition was hosted for the third year in a row by the Seafield Arms Hotel in Cullen itself.
The World Championships are organised by tourist group Discover Cullen and first took place in 2012.
Mags Cairns, who owns The Café at Logie Steading and encouraged John to take part said: “We are delighted for John and we are really not surprised at how well he has done. The Cullen Skink is a staple on our menu and it’s always popular.
“John loves to experiment with food and different flavours and his passion for using local is something that we all care about here. It just shows that this has resonated with the audience and judges at the championships too.”
Written by Claire Doughty, March 2025
