BRITAIN’S youngest ever Michelin star chef has just been named Scotland’s Chef of the Year –36 years later.
Ian McAndrew of Blackaddie House Hotel, Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway took the honours at the CIS Excellence Awards, held recently at a glittering ceremony at The Hilton in Glasgow.
McAndrew, 63, beat off stiff competition to scoop the coveted award – now in its 13th year – which is regarded as the top prize in Scottish cookery.
He has been runner-u three times at the awards – other winners include Tom Kitchin, Martin Wishart and Tony Singh.
McAndrew, who was named Britain’s youngest Michelin Star winner in 1980 when he was just 27, said: “ I am delighted to have been named Chef of the Year. I must admit I was quite surprised to win as I have been the runner-up so many times. I thought it was a case of always the bridesmaid, never the bride.”
McAndrew has won a Michelin star no fewer than eight times in his 47-year career as a chef.
It is also a double celebration for the hotelier,as his hotel, Blackaddie House on the outskirts of Sanquhar, near Dumfries, recently gained four star status with VisitScotland after a major refurbishment.
McAndrew, who runs the hotel with wife Jane said: “It has been a magnificent year for us so far, and these two accomplishments show us we are on the right track. I’d like to thank all our hard-working staff as it really is a team effort.”
He bought the magnificent country house hotel in 2007. It lies on the banks of the River Nith, and is less than an hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
He said: “It was very run down and it has been a labour of love to restore it to its former glory. All the hotel rooms and bathrooms have been refurbished and our dining rooms look better than ever.”
McAndrew knows the hotel business inside out and has worked at some of the UK’s best establishments including The Dorchester in London.
Big-name chefs he has guided on the path to fame and fortune include Andrew Fairlie, Tony Borthwick and Paul Kitching.
McAndrew offers a one-day course to members of the public to become ‘Chef for a Day’ where they can learn all the Michelin star tricks of the trade.
He said: “It is great hands-on experience and is designed to be great fun as well as highly educational.”
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