Date announced for Andrew Fairlie Scholarship final

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced the date for the finals of the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship, which will take place on 17 November.

 

Six chefs will compete on the night for the chance to be crowned the third Andrew Fairlie scholar, an award which recognises an outstanding individual forging a culinary career in Scotland.

 

Perth College UHI will host the skills test and judging portion, while the winner will be revealed at Gleneagles.

 

The six finalists for this year’s scholarship are:

• Taraya Boyes, 23, commis chef at the Balmoral’s Brasserie Prince restaurant, Edinburgh
• Rachel Bremner, 33, commis chef at the Balmoral
• Lee Christie, 23, commis chef at Gleneagles
• Sean Currie, 34, head chef at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel’s iasg restaurant, Glasgow
• Eddie Brown, 30, sous chef at the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, Dornoch
• Halil Can Durmaz, 29, chef de partie, the Carnegie Club

 

The judges are chefs from across the country, all of whom knew Fairlie personally. These include Stephen McLaughlin (head chef at two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie), Tom Kerridge (chef patron, Hand & Flowers), Gary Maclean (National Chef of Scotland and MasterChef: the Professionals winner), Lorna McNee (head chef, Cail Bruich) and Keith Podmore (former chef de cuisine, Boodles).

 

Podmore, famously a mentor of Fairlie, encouraged the chef to enrol in a City & Guilds course at Perth College UHI, then supported him at Boodles. Fairlie went onto win the first ever Roux Scholarship.

 

The winner of the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship will receive practical training in an international kitchen, as well in Michelin-starred restaurants Core by Clare Smyth in London and Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles.

 

The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship launched in 2019 in recognition of the late chef's lasting contribution to the hospitality industry,

 

The award is sponsored by HIT Scotland and the Gleneagles Hotel and is also supported by Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Perth College UHI.

 

In 2021, scholarships were awarded to Amy Stephenson, 23, who was a junior sous chef at the Torridon hotel, and Josh Wilkinson, 26, who was senior chef de partie at the Isle of Eriska hotel.

 

David Cochrane, chief executive of HIT Scotland, said: “This is a unique opportunity for chefs working in Scotland to develop their skills and take on the mantle of Andrew’s legacy. It also gives them the chance to experience some fantastic industry opportunities that will help enhance their careers and development.

 

“We are once again passionate about showcasing the impressive culinary talent currently working away in Scotland while continuing to champion Andrew’s incredible legacy. Best of luck to all of our finalists!”

 

Stephen McLaughlin, head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and lead judge, said: “The calibre of chefs who applied this year was strong. We have chosen six very deserving chefs who all submitted immaculate recipes and well-thought-out paper answers to the questions set out in front of them - questions that chef Andrew would no doubt have asked them himself.

 

“I cannot wait to taste their dishes on the day and I’m hugely energised to be spending finals day with them all!”

 

Pictured: 2021 winners Josh Wilkinson & Amy Stephenson