Chefs hail legacy of late culinary star Fairlie
Some of the country’s culinary masters have paid tribute to the influence of renowned chef Andrew Fairlie as Scotland was put “on the map” at this week’s Michelin Guide awards.
The Glenturret Lalique restaurant in Crieff claimed a coveted second Michelin star at Monday night’s ceremony in Manchester in an achievement that has been celebrated by the industry.
And some of Scotland’s top chefs have said the accolade is “flying the flag” for Andrew Fairlie – the two-michelin-star winning chef who died from a brain tumour in 2019.
The glen turret la lique joined Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, based in glen eagles, as the only two venues in Scotland to now hold two stars, with the latter having achieved the milestone in 2006.
Mark Donald, head chef at The Glenturret, had originally honed his skills at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie. A four-year role as head chef at Australian eatery Bentley, in Sydney, followed, before he returned to Scotland to join firstly Number One restaurant at Edinburgh’s The Balmoral, and then later arriving at The Glenturret in 2021.
Stevie Mclaughlin, head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, said of The Glenturret: “Another two-michelin-star restaurant in Scotland is fabulous for Scotland. I am really pleased and very proud of Mark.
“Mark spent time in our kitchen–he’ s another Andrew Fair lie alumni–and he’s shining and flying the Andrew Fairlie flag. I am thrilled to bits for Mark and I am really proud of what he’s done and what our restaurants continue to do.”
Dale Dewsbury, general manager of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, added: “Scotland is rich with outstanding produce, skill and talent, and fully deserves to be represented in the Michelin rankings.
“Huge congratulations to Mark and the team on a very well-deserved second Michelin star. we’ re proud to have another two Michel in star restaurant
on our doorstep, showcasing Perthshire as Scotland’s culinary capital, and even more proud that it’s one of our Restaurant Andrew Fairlie alumni bringing the second star to the area.”
Lorna Mcnee, another Restaurant Andrew Fairlie trained chef, who is now head chef at the one Michelin star restaurant Cail Bruich, said: “I think it’s amazing. I worked with Mark a very long time ago, he’s
a fantastic chef and I am so, so proud of him and his team.”
S head ded:“i hope it puts scotland more on the map because, for me personally, scottish produce is some of thebes tin the country and people need to be recognising that.”
Mr Fairlie, who was first diagnosed in 2005, had been forced to step down from his Gleneagles restaurant in November 2018 before his death two months later. Michelin star chef Tom Kitchin said at the time of Fairlie: “What he has done for the Scottish culinary side of things is just unbelievable. He's taken this country to levels we never even knew existed.”
Mr donald said on the night of the award: “It's a huge moment for scotland and or whisky too ”, referring to the fact the restaurant is the only two Michelin star eatery located within a whisky distillery.
Mark spent time in our kitchen – he’s an Andrew Fairlie alumni