Andrew Fairlie Scholarship Application 2024

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Positioned as the ultimate educational scholarship that any aspiring chef in Scotland could receive, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for any chef looking to grow their knowledge and gain experience within world renowned establishments.

Supported by HIT Scotland, The Gleneagles Hotel, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Perth College UHI, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is now in its 5th year. The scholarship launched in 2019, with the late Andrew Fairlie spearheading the initiative in partnership with HIT Scotland – an industry charity he was closely associated with. Thank you to the Scottish Government for their support which allowed us to create this scholarship.

Applications for 2024 are now open! Read on to find out how to apply. The judges will be looking for a male or female chef with similar values, both personally and professionally, that Andrew had, and his restaurant continues to display, so the right attitude is key, along with professionalism and integrity.

Lead Judge and Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Stephen McLaughlin, said

“The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is Scotland’s finest Chef Scholarship. It is a true chance to showcase your talent and passion, along with the opportunity to help yourself be guided and nurtured into being as good a chef as you want to be. The prizes for this year’s scholarship recipient are some of the best educational and development driven learning experiences in the world!

"Be mindful in your application to stay true to yourself and to pull from all your resources to make sure that your application is as polished as it can be. Only the very best applicants will make it to finals day.

“Good luck Chefs and happy cooking!”

The prizes

The winning chef will receive a variety of once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences over a couple of years, enabling them to continue to develop their skills and experience, and grow in their career.

a stage at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles (2 Michelin star)
a stage at Core by Clare Smyth in London (3 Michelin star)
2 day educational trip to France from Grande Cuisine
a bespoke chef’s jacket from Goodfellows

Opportunities may vary year to year but will always be inspirational in nature.

Some prizes may require to be changed, changes are at the discretion of HIT Scotland

The Judges

Judging process

The judging process will involve some of the most talented Chefs in the UK, with an array of Michelin Stars between them.

Initially, there will be a paper judgement. You will show us your knowledge and creativity by creating a lamb sharing dish to be cooked and served on Finals Day. We also want to learn a bit more about you as a chef. From this, up to 6 chefs will be chosen to take part in the Grand Final.

The Grand Final will be a skills test where you will show your knowledge, ability and your personal values. You will have to cook the dish from your application, plus some other surprise challenges on the day. This will take place at Perth College UHI on Wednesday 27th November 2024.

The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship judging panel will decide who will win based on the skills test, the quality of their application, and the passion that they have shown for the industry. This will be one chef, either male or female, and this will be announced at the end of the Grand Final day, at The Gleneagles Hotel.

The recipe

We want you to create a sharing dish for 4 people and for it to have an Autumnal feel to it.

Using a short saddle of Scotch lamb with an approximate weight of 2.5 kilos bone in, we would like you to bone and trim the lamb saddle and then stuff and cook the whole saddle as you wish.

Serve the lamb with a sensible baby or leaf spinach garnish, it can be either raw or cooked. We would like you to serve creamed soft polenta for the table and a beautiful lamb jus or sauce to bring the whole dish together. Serve the jus/sauce apart please.
We want to see your skill and craft as chefs and we want to see a real love of what you are doing. You must display a sharp eye for detail as well showing that you understand the essence of creating a sharing dish.

Your recipe should be written clearly and concisely for 4 people.

If you are awarded a Finals Day place, then you will be asked to recreate your lamb dish in real-time. There may be other culinary challenges revealed on the day!

You will have 1 hour and 40 minutes to cook and serve this.

How to apply

This is open to any chef over the age of 21, working in Scotland, at any level, although a competent level of chef skills, knowledge and understanding will be expected for the Final skills test, so experience in a professional kitchen is required. To enter you must complete the application form and return it by the closing date of midnight on Sunday 22nd September 2024.

Please type your answers directly onto the form, save and return.

Please read the scholarship guidance document (click here to view) before you apply.

Download the application form (it’s a Word document) by clicking here.

Email your completed form, plus a copy of your up-to-date CV to andrewfairliescholarship@hitscotland.co.uk

Any questions please also email andrewfairliescholarship@hitscotland.co.uk