Meeting Laurent Vernet, the master meat taster at Guinea Grill

Laurent Vernet is QMS, Quality Meat Scotland, Head of Marketing and a self-taught meat master taster. He can tell the age, sex, maturity and breed of various cuts of meats on taste and look.

I was very intrigued by the invitation to meet a meat master taster and have a private masterclass to learn in depth how to recognise thirteen different cuts of meat and to learn about QMS, a public body responsible for helping the Scottish red meat sector improve its efficiency and profitability, and maximise its contribution to Scotland’s economy. We were told their assurance schemes cover more than 90% of livestock farmed for meat in Scotland.

All farm animals must have been born, reared and slaughtered in Scotland and comply to strict standards of traceability, animal welfare, production, fee, haulage and processing. QMS markets on behalf of the Scottish red meat industry through the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands and the Specially Selected Pork brand. QMS also raises awareness of the importance of red meat as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Brian Turner has teamed up with internationally acclaimed duo Chris and Jeff Galvin to support the Quality Meat
Scotland “Great Quality of Life, Great Quality of Taste” campaign is highlighting the superb calibre of Scotch Beef. The trio of
chefs has created a host of Scotch Beef recipes, which showcase the quality assured product at its very best. Here is one of the recipes: