Three Chimneys appoints new head chef as Michael Smith resigns

Scott Davies has been appointed as the new head chef of the Michelin-starred Three Chimneys restaurant on the Isle of Skye.

The move follows the resignation of both chef-director Michael Smith and head chef Kevin McLean.

Davies (pictured), a finalist in BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals in 2013, most recently launched the Adamson restaurant in St Andrews.

Prior to that, he was head chef of the Rusacks hotel in St Andrews, where he won three AA rosettes at the age of 26.

He trained with Adam Stokes at Glenapp castle.

Speaking about his departure, Michael Smith said: "It has not been an easy decision to make in any way having spent over the last 10 years maintaining and enhancing the fantastic reputation of this amazing restaurant.

"I feel it is the right time for my professional career and personal life to take a new direction, and I leave the company in a very strong position, to create a fresh chapter in its history. I wish newly appointed head chef Scott Davies only the very best in this exciting new position."

It is not yet clear what Smith plans to do next but he and McLean are not expected to work together, despite the fact that they depart at the same time. Smith joined Three Chimneys in 2004 as young chef, working his way up to executive chef and then a director of the company.

He gained a Michelin star for the restaurant last year, and also appeared on BBC TV show Great British Menu.

The Three Chimneys owners Eddie and Shirley Spear said it was the start of a new chapter for their restaurant with rooms, which has only appointed a new head chef three times in 30 years.

"We are immensely grateful to Michael and Kevin for all their hard work, especially achieving the Michelin star, and we wish them all the very best in the future.

"As the Three Chimneys approaches its 30th anniversary next month, we are very much looking to the future and in Scott we believe we have someone who can work with us to take the business forward to a whole new level," Shirley said.

Davies will join the business in May. "For 30 years the Three Chimneys has been blazing a trail for local, seasonal food in Scotland and I'm honoured to be the chef who will lead the kitchen on the next part of a very special journey," he said.

The Three Chimneys is open for lunch and dinner every day until November and serves a selection of menus, as well as the Taste of Skye showcase menu at the Kitchen Table. The restaurant has held three AA rosettes continuously for 15 years. Shirley Spear was last month appointed chair of the new Scottish Food Commission.

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