Fife farmer Steve Mitchell looks set to realise his dream of creating Scotland’s first buffalo mozzarella factory.
His crowdfunder hit its target of £800,000, allowing him to press ahead with his venture near Kirkcaldy, where he will build a buffalo dairy and cheese-making plant.
Steve, who founded The Buffalo Farm in 2005, told celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay of his desire to produce mozzarella when he visited to film for The F Word 12 years ago.
With funding in place for the £2 million facility, he has now applied to Fife Council for planning permission and hopes to have the plant operational by next summer.
He said: “Producing buffalo mozzarella has been on my list of priorities and dreams for years and I am over the moon that it will now become a reality.
“Local provenance is becoming increasingly important to many people for political, environmental and taste reasons and I look forward to producing the very best Scottish mozzarella for my customers to enjoy.”
Steve was awarded a Scottish Government grant and invited members of the public to join his founders club to make up a £800,000 shortfall.
He said: “I am overwhelmed by the amount of support that we have received.
“Without those businesses and individuals who have contributed within the founders club and crowdfund, we would not be able to take the next step in our journey.”
Some of the founders club members will name buffaloes in Steve’s 100-strong milking herd.
They will also have their names inscribed in the wall of the milking parlour, near Steve’s farm at Boglily Steading.
Farmer and comedian Jim Smith will take centre stage at a launch party next year.
