Brakes Craft Scholar 2019
Sean Dalgarno
Commis Chef at Bird & Bear, studying Professional Cookery at D&A College

“From a very young age I have had a passion for cooking, starting with my grandad teaching me the basics, then me helping my father in his restaurant.  I decided to go to college to train, while working as a commis chef to use and improve the skills I was learning.  

As a young chef I felt I didn't have the experience in a kitchen needed to move up to a higher position so applied for a HIT Scotland Craft scholarship to help me get that experience, and take me a step closer to reaching my dreams of owning my own restaurant and making my grandad proud.

I was delighted to find that I’d be chosen as one of the Brakes Craft Scholars, meaning that as well as a week working with the chefs in a bigger kitchen (I’m off to Gleneagles later this month!) I got an added learning experience from Brakes.  I got to choose from visiting and learning from a Scottish Brakes supplier, spending time with Brakes Ambassador chef Gary Maclean, or time with the Brakes development kitchen. I wanted to learn more about how to prepare game, meats, fish, so I chose a day with Masterchef the Professionals champion Gary, and it was amazing!

It was a very educational and fun filled day, Gary was a great teacher (not surprising as he is a college lecturer!), and it was superb to have one to one time with him.  My highlight was preparing oysters with him, and it was ace to learn about how to prepare game meat, something I hadn’t done. I wanted my scholarship to teach me new techniques to use in the kitchen, and it’s safe to say my expectations were met!

I’d definitely recommend a HIT Scotland scholarship, it’s already helped me improve as a chef.”

Gary Maclean said:  "Spending a day with Sean was great fun, it was great to see such a young chef totally besotted with the hospitality industry.  Sean had a clear understanding of what skills he wanted to learn and he spent the whole day asking lots of great questions. I am very much looking forward to following his career and seeing how his passion for food and learning takes him forward."  

Lorna Allison, Marketing Manager for Brakes Scotland added: “Once again we are delighted to sponsor three craft scholars from the HIT Scotland Scholarship intake in 2019.  As part of Brakes Scotland supporting the craft scholars they get additional skills and value. Sean had an insightful day with Brakes Scotland Ambassador Gary Maclean and enjoyed a one on one lesson learning about furred and feathered animals as well as fish and shellfish from M&J Seafood.

“As the leading foodservice wholesaler with strong Scottish heritage, we are dedicated to have a partnership that truly makes a valuable contribution to the hospitality industry in Scotland.  The mission of HIT Scotland complements our own group values and passion for investment in future talent towards enhancing knowledge and skills development. We are proud to sponsor HIT Scotland and the scholars who thrive and deliver within the industry, both in Scotland and beyond, as a direct result of HIT’s support, commitment and dedication.  This sponsorship has gone from strength to strength each year and we couldn’t do this without our partners and suppliers who are invaluable in helping to offer fantastic experience to our young chefs.”

Huge thanks from HIT Scotland to Brakes for making these fantastic learning experiences happen for our scholars.  If you’re a chef looking to improve, apply for our Craft Scholarship now (in the Operational section), and you may be one of our lucky Brakes Craft Scholars!