The first British shop dedicated to the world’s most expensive beef has opened its doors in Perthshire.
Three Michelin star chefs were in Bridge of Allan for the launch of the Wagyu House, where a kilo of meat can cost up to £1,000.
Albert Roux OBE, who oversees the French restaurant at Andy Murray’s Cromlix Hotel, was joined by Tom Kitchen and Pierre Koffman to sample the delicacies on offer at the Henderson Street boutique.
The store is the brainchild of husband and wife team Mohsin Altajir and Martine Chapman who began breeding Japanese Wagyu and Scottish breeds at Blackford Farms, near Dunblane, in 2011.
The couple, whose family owns Highland Spring mineral water, want to establish Scotland as the Wagyu capital of Europe.
They already have hundreds of private UK customers on their books, with Wagyu products ranging from £10 to £1,000 per kilo.
The new shop offers a wide range of products from nose to tail, including handmade charcuterie, gourmet burgers and pies, as well as prime cuts or siloin, fillet and rib and all grades of Wagyu beef, from high grade Japanese Kobe to lower grade Australian beef.
Albert Roux has become a mentor to the Highland Wagyu beef and plans to make the beef available at his restaurants across Scotland.
Mr Altajir said: “When we set up Highland Wagyu five years ago, we knew chefs would be interested, but we didn’t anticipate such an overwhelming demand from the private market.
“We want to bring Wagyu to the masses and let people know about its different grades and different tastes. There is Wagyu to suit every taste bud and every pocket.”
Ms Chapman added: “We wanted to keep everything local. Bridge of Allan is literally on our doorstep so we can oversee every aspect to ensure quality every step of the way and the main suppliers of beef are bred and processed within a five mile radius.”
Takeaway meals will also be available from the shop, while customers will be able to choose the number of days to dray-age their beef on the premises.
Highland Wagyu had a sell-out stand at the recent Royal Highland Show and have already sold a tonne of beef since trading began in June.
In Japan, Kobe beef farmers reportedly keep their cattle relaxed by feeding them beer and giving them regular massages.
