The Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland has named the receipients of its inaugural Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.
The two chefs who impressed the judges most were Emma-Rose Milligan, 23, from Kilmarnock, who is working as Demi Chef de Partie at Chez Roux at Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, and Joseph Harte, 23, a Junior Sous Chef at Douneside House in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.
The finalists had to prove their worth in a two-part skills test, where they first had to recreate a classic Andrew Fairlie dish, before preparing a dish that showcased their individuality and creativity as a chef. This took place on October 24th at Gleneagles.
Spearheaded by HIT Scotland and supported by the First Minister, Scottish Government and Gleneagles, the scholarship was launched in February 2019 in recognition of Andrew Fairlie’s significant and lasting contribution to the hospitality industry.
The judges included Stephen McLaughlin, Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef, and Michelin-starred chefs Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains.
“It was fantastic to see such a talented group of young chefs in action at the finals, and the creativity and dedication on display by these young chefs was truly inspiring,” comments David Cochrane, HIT Scotland Chief Executive. “Congratulations to Emma-Rose and Joseph, who will now get to experience some fantastic opportunities and represent Andrew’s legacy wherever they go.”
“I offer my warmest congratulations to Joseph and Emma-Rose for securing these prestigious scholarships,” adds First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. “The fact that so many young chefs competed for these opportunities is testament to the large pool of talent in Scotland and shows a desire to follow in the footsteps of Andrew Fairlie, who did so much to bring on the next generation of world-class chefs in Scotland.”
