Gary Maclean and Adam Handling team up with Knorr Professional for Scottish student chef competition

Chefs Gary Maclean and Adam Handling are partnering with Knorr Professional, part of Unilever Food Solutions, to launch a cooking competition exclusively for Scottish students.

Entries to the first Scottish Student Chef of the Year Competition are now open, with Knorr Professional establishing the contest to unearth and recognise the next generation of young Scottish chef talent from catering colleges across the country. Its mission is to support and inspire students to reach their full potential, fostering creativity and culinary innovation.

Maclean is the competition’s ambassador and head judge, with Handling and executive chef of Unilever Ireland, Audrey Crone, joining him on the judging panel.

Born in Glasgow, Maclean runs his own seafood restaurant in Edinburgh. He won MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 and is Scotland's first National Chef.

He said: “This competition is not just about finding the best young chef; it’s about nurturing creativity, passion and the future of Scottish culinary excellence through Scotland’s next generation.”

Handling added: “It's great to be involved in this competition during its first year. As a very proud Scotsman, a competition that recognises Scottish students is close to my heart and I can’t wait to see what these young chefs can produce. I'm sure they'll make Scotland proud!”

In teams comprising a head chef and an assistant, students will be tasked with delivering a two-course meal and completing a skills test. The brief asks students to put their own twist on two recent menu trends: ‘modernised comfort food’ and ‘irresistible vegetables’. They will then submit their menu idea digitally, before a round of shortlisting that will determine eight finalists who will compete in a live final on 21 March at City of Glasgow College.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place students, with the overall winner, their lecturer and assistant receiving an all-expenses paid educational trip to Italy.