The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced the five finalists for the esteemed Andrew Fairlie Scholarship. Scheduled for 27 November 2024, the finals will feature the five shortlisted candidates competing for a unique culinary opportunity.
The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship offers chefs unparalleled access to experience at some of the world’s top culinary venues, providing essential education to help emerging chefs hone their skills and techniques.
Initiated in 2019 by the late Andrew Fairlie, a key figure in Scotland’s culinary world, the scholarship is presented in collaboration with HIT Scotland, an industry charity closely associated with Fairlie. Now in its fifth iteration, the scholarship enjoys support from HIT Scotland, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Perth College UHI, and The Gleneagles Hotel.
The five talented chefs contending for this exceptional opportunity are:
- Allan MacDonald, 24, Breakfast CDP at The Balmoral
- Andrew Clark, 32, Head Chef at Entier
- Marcin Borek, 31, Chef de Partie at Fingal
- Michael Sutherland, 30, Senior Chef de Partie at Gleneagles
- Patryk Kasperek, 30, Chef de Partie at Fingal
Competition details on the day entail a skills test at Perth College UHI, with the winners being announced at Gleneagles. For this year’s challenge, the finalists are tasked with creating an autumnal sharing dish for four using a short saddle of Scotch lamb, accompanied by spinach, creamed polenta, and sauce.
A distinguished panel of top chefs, including Stephen McLaughlin (Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie), Tom Kerridge (Chef Patron at The Hand and Flowers), and Sat Bains (Chef Patron at Restaurant Sat Bains), will judge the competition. Gary Maclean, the Winner of MasterChef: The Professionals and National Chef of Scotland, will also evaluate the contestants.
The winner will embark on an incredible two-day educational journey to France with Grande Cuisine, receive practical training at the 2-Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, and undertake a stage at the 3-Michelin star Core by Clare Smyth in London, along with a personalized chef’s jacket. These enriching experiences will span two years, allowing the winner to gradually cultivate their skills.
David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, expressed, “The remarkable legacy of Andrew Fairlie continues with the fifth annual Scholarship. This is an extraordinary opportunity for emerging Scottish culinary talent and a path to unmatched industry prospects that will enhance their growth both personally and professionally. We were thrilled by the volume of applications this year from across Scotland, making selection of the final five quite challenging. The finalists should be prepared to impress our judges and vie for the prizes. Best of luck to them all for November 27!”
Stephen McLaughlin, the head judge, remarked, “The finalists have demonstrated a genuine understanding of the brief, putting considerable thought into their applications and presenting clear, simple recipes. Each one sounds exquisite and holds potential for victory, and we eagerly anticipate sampling their dishes. Their passion and craftsmanship are evident, and we expect it to be a tough decision for the judges. I hope everyone performs to their utmost on Finals day!”
