Golden Spurtle winner Neal Robertson stirs it on the One Show
A Fife restaurateur will show viewers across the nation how make the perfect porridge when he appears on the One Show.
From left — Neal Robertson, Jay Rayner and Gerry Rae.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 09.11.10
- Published online : 09.11.10 @ 05.27pm
Neal Robertson, owner of the Tannochbrae Tearoom in Auchtermuchty, will appear on the BBC show presented by Chris Evans and Alex Jones on Friday.
Viewers will see Neal, officially the world's best porridge maker, prepare the traditional Scots dish to his award-winning formula.
In a cook-off filmed last Thursday against master cook Gerry Rae, Neal's porridge triumphed with presenter and food critic Jay Rayner.
Using local water, his porridge is stirred using a double-backed wooden spoon that he invented, the spon.
Friday evening's episode will be Neal's third TV appearance since he won the Golden Spurtle at the World Championships in Carrbridge a month ago.
As well as featuring in BBC Landward and STV's The Hour, his victory has made headlines in newspapers across the world, as far afield as the Cook Islands.
Neal was contacted by The One Show last Monday and flew down to London last Thursday for filming, starting his hectic day with a bowl of porridge.
He said, "They wanted to do a piece on porridge and thought they should have the world champion along to make it for them."
"They lined up Gerry Rae, head chef of Simpson's in the Strand, for a wee cook-off.
Traditional
"He did his version, a sweet porridge pudding, and I made my traditional one.
"Gerry is originally from Glasgow, so it was two Scots competing.
"They were two completely different porridges; Gerry's dish wasn't something you would want at breakfast, but it was a very nice pudding.
"Mine was traditional and won.
"Jay remarked on the simplicity of it and that it had a nice fresh oaty flavour with a good bit of texture."
Neal described the experience as "great fun" and said, "They were all very kind to me and seemed to think I did very well.
"Jay asked me if I had done television before because we managed everything in one take."
Neal, who has worked in large restaurants before, including Edinburgh's Caledonian and North British (now the Balmoral) hotels, but was taken aback by Gerry's kitchen, where filming took place.
He said, "It was incredible. He has a huge kitchen with a brigade of 28 working there and they serve near 500 meals a day, whereas I am on my own in the Tannochbrae Tearoom doing 20 meals an evening."
Due to his media exposure, Neal was recognised as the "porridge man" by several people during his trip to London, including security staff at Edinburgh Airport.
While many in Auchtermuchty will be switching on for Friday's show, Neal will have to wait to see the broadcast.
He said, "My mum is telling everyone. She is bursting with pride. But I won't see the programme myself as I will be working."
Add a comment