Knock Castle Hotel & Spa were delighted to host a very special guest last week as popular TV chef Jean-Christophe Novelli came to stay.

French favourite Novelli was appearing at Perthshire on a Plate, a food festival in partnership with The Perth Show - and hotelier Jason Henderson was delighted to show him some real Scottish hospitality.

Henderson himself is also head chef at the luxury hotel in Crieff and admitted to feeling excited yet under pressure to be cooking for one of his idols.

Jason Henderson said: “I was a little bit nervous cooking for such a talented chef, but it all worked out brilliantly and he liked the dishes very much.

"It was a pleasure and a privilege to host such a fine chef – especially one I admire so much. Jean-Christophe was the perfect guest and a real gentleman. We hope to welcome him back to Knock Castle Hotel again – our door is always open to him."

His worries proved to be unfounded as Novelli praised his culinary skills and commented on his visit to the hotel.

The top chef said: “I stayed at a wonderful establishment…a top hotel and enjoyed a dish of scallops with white chocolate risotto from the menu. I thought to myself, either this chef is crazy or a genius!”