Fairlie scholarship success for chefs
Pair will continue Andrew’s legacy
The two winners of the inaugural Andrew Fairlie Scholarship have been revealed.
Earlier this year, it was announced two budding young chefs were to receive support and funding from the scholarship, named after Perthshire chef Andrew Fairlie, who passed away in January.
Andrew Fairlie ran Scotland’s only two-Michelin star restaurant at Gleneagles Hotel, and was known for his skills in the kitchen throughout the world.
Emma-Rose Milligan (23) from Kilmarnock, who works as a demi chef de partie at Chez Roux at Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, and Joseph Harte (23), a junior sous chef at Douneside House in Aboyne, have officially won the first Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.
The pair had to prove their worth in a two-part skills test where they had to recreate a classic Andrew Fairlie dish at Gleneagles Hotel last week.
They were judged by Stephen McLaughlin, who is head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Scotland’s national chef Gary Maclean, and Michelin-starred chefs Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains.
Judge Stephen said: “We were thoroughly impressed by the standard shown by the finalists, they all showcased passion and talent that Andrew would be proud of.
“Emma-Rose and Joseph excelled in the skills tests and they have conducted themselves in a manner that truly represents the man himself.
“We are pleased to have them to help continue Andrew’s legacy and we are hugely excited to see how their careers blossom from here.”
Conor O’Leary, joint managing director of Gleneagles, also said: “This was a competition of enormous importance. It ensures the culture of excellence that Andrew established is promoted and nurtured in the next generation of chefs, and it cements Scotland’s reputation as a hotbed of outstanding culinary talent.
“We’re thrilled for the winning recipients and look forward to following and supporting them as they progress in their careers.”
The pair will be able to undertake a placement in an international kitchen, as well as placements at the Culinary Institute of America and at Perthshire’s Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.
They will also get the chance to cook at Bute House, the official residence of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Joseph and Emma-Rose for securing these prestigious scholarships.
“The fact that so many young chefs competed for these opportunities is testament to the large pool of talent in Scotland and shows a desire to follow in the footsteps of Andrew Fairlie, who did so much to bring on the next generation of world-class chefs in Scotland.”