Boost for culinary stars of the future

The second annual Andrew Fairlie Scholarship will take place later this month.

The scholarship, created in memory of the famous Gleneagles Hotel chef, will take place on November 16 and recognises two outstanding individuals each year – one male and one female - who are forging ahead with their culinary career and working in Scotland.

Perth College UHI will host the skills test and judging portion of the day, with the winners’ announcement being made at Gleneagles.

The five aspiring chefs in the running for the‘ultimate scholarship’ in the industry include Josh Wilkinson (26) who is currently working as senior chef de partie at the Isle of Eriska Hotel.

Chef de partie at The Torridon Amy Stephenson (22) has likewise made the final, as has Spud Henderson (32) chef de partie at Craig Millar @ 16 West End.

There are also two returning finalists from 2019’s competition – Ryan McCutcheon (29), now chef patron at Achray House Hotel and Peter Meechan (24), chef de partie at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant.

Spearheaded by The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland and supported by the first minister, Scottish Government and Gleneagles, the scholarship was first launched in February 2019 in recognition of Andrew Fairlie’s significant and lasting contribution to the hospitality industry.

The chosen winners will gain industry-wide recognition as Andrew Fairlie Scholars and experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as a practical stage in an international kitchen and at Michelin star restaurants Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and Core by Clare Smyth.

In 2019, the scholarships were awarded to Emma-Rose Milligan from Kilmarnock and Joseph Harte from South Queensferry.

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie head chef and lead judge Stephen McLaughlin said:“We have had to wait a while for this year’s Andrew Fairlie Scholarship to come around and now that it is almost upon us, we are as excited and as privileged as ever to play our part in preserving and extending Chef Andrew’s legacy through nurturing and mentoring this year’s very talented finalists.

“The finalists can expect a tough challenge to be laid out in front of them on finals day, but at the same time the day itself will be fun, educational and inspiring.

“We are delighted to be partnering the day with Perth College and are over the moon to add the college to the list of Andrew Fairlie Scholarship collaborators.”

Andrew Fairlie ran Scotland’s only two-Michelin star restaurant at Gleneagles Hotel.

He was known for his incredible skills in the kitchen throughout the world.