Scotland’s culinary masterpiece, Haggis, took on an international flavour yesterday when Edinburgh’s Haggis Queen Jo McSween teamed up with top food photographer and chef Mark Godrey to give it a South African twist.

Jo, of MacSween of Edinburgh, and award-winning Mark made the national dish of South Africa, Babotie, but with added haggis.

The unique cook-up took place at the Tesco Enjoy the Taste of Scotland event in Glasgow’s George Square, which saw thousands of people attend the first day of the two-day food and drink festival.

Jo MacSween said said, “Haggis is an extremely versatile, wholesome and tasty ingredient that is available all year round. These dishes from two very different culinary traditions are testament to this.”

Jo met Mark when she commissioned him to take pictures of a series of MacSween haggis recipes in late 2007 and only became aware of the extent of his culinary expertise as the shoot progressed. Jo and Mark also used haggis to make Torta Salgada – a popular savoury speciality from Brazil, typically made with chicken and vegetables cooked in a light batter to make a soufflé-style pie.

More than 8,000 people attended the first day of the event which continues this weekend – for more details see this post.