MY SWEET NEW ROLE
Gillian sets out on her own
THE first female executive head chef at a five- star hotel in Scotland, Gillian Matthews, has left Bo & Birdy, the restaurant at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel.
She was appointed last year after a stylish renovation of the dining room in the converted Georgian townhouse and established a menu that was enjoyed by guests including Hugh Jackman, Ariana Grande and Billy Connolly.
Now, having been made redundant, Gillian is set to embark on her own baking business. Sweet Prospects will launch a website at the end of the month.
After registering her kitchen to start production, her first commission was from Marco Giannasi at Battlefield Rest who sold bundles of her cakes to customers last month during the period when restaurants were closed. “Marco had mentioned to me about a year and a half ago that he was looking for someone to do pastries and cakes, so I got in touch with him” she said.
Gillian began her hospitality career as a waitress at La Bonne Auberge on West Nile Street. She had the opportunity to move into the kitchen where she spent two and a half years before moving to Blythswood Square.
After taking a keen interest in pastry making, she moved to a role making handmade chocolates and desserts before returning to the hotel as pastry chef and moving up the ranks to running the kitchen.
Setting out on her own, she will return to her real food passions through Sweet Prospects. “I’ve been saving up to start my own thing for a while” she explained, “then, with Covid- 19 happening, I figured I would take my chances. “I’d been with the Blythswood Square Hotel for almost 10 years so my redundancy payment from there will add to the business pot and I’ll give it a go. “The website will be ready at the end of the month. I’m doing ‘ decorate your own cake kits’ for kids. I’m working on decorated biscuit gifts and birthday boxes. I’m going to do some afternoon tea at home.
“When the business website launches I’ll also be taking orders for Christmas Day desserts.”
Gillian Mylles, hotel manager at Kimpton Blythswood Square said: “Our focus for the hotel and restaurant is coming through the current restrictions and looking forward to Christmas, which is usually a very busy season for us with visitors to Glasgow celebrating the festive season here in the hotel.
“Head Chef Daniel Matthews has stepped up to the role after returning to the kitchen at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel last year.
“He will continue to lead our celebration of great Scottish produce at The Bo & Birdy, focussing on local provenance, from farm to fabulous.”
New Bistro for Hyndland
The brunch revival continues in Hyndland.
Locker, a new café and bistro that will have its own bakery, is set to open at 29 Clarence Drive next month – expect fluffy pancakes served with black fruits compote, creme Chantilly, fresh berries and honey or charred flatbread with avocado, dukkah, feta, baby tomatoes, beetroot pesto and coriander dressing. Chef David Hetherington will be making croissants, breads and cakes.