Today we reveal the five finalists for the prestigious Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.

Taking place on the 27 November 2024, the final will see the five shortlisted applicants compete for the chance to become the recipient of the illustrious Andrew Fairlie Scholarship - a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.

The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is a prestigious educational opportunity for chefs seeking first-hand experience within some of the world's most acclaimed culinary establishments. It offers the ultimate education for up-and-coming chefs to harness their skills and refine their technique.

Launched in 2019, the scholarship initiative was spearheaded by the late Andrew Fairlie, a prominent figure in Scotland’s culinary scene. The scholarship is offered in partnership with HIT Scotland, an industry charity with which Andrew was closely connected. Now in its fifth year, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is supported by HIT Scotland, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Perth College UHI and The Gleneagles Hotel.

The five skilled chefs vying for this unparalleled culinary experience 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 Wednesday 27 November, Perth College UHI will host the skills test and judging portion of the day, with the winner’s announcement being made at Gleneagles. For the fifth Andrew Fairlie Scholarship final, those shortlisted have been challenged to create an autumnal sharing dish for four made from a short saddle of Scotch lamb, with a spinach garnish, creamed polenta and a sauce.

An all-star panel of the country’s finest chefs will judge the 2024 competition. Stephen McLaughlin, Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, will be joined by fellow 2 Michelin starred Chef Patrons, Tom Kerridge of the Hand and Flowers and Sat Bains, Chef Patron at Restaurant Sat Bains. Gary Maclean, the Winner of MasterChef The Professionals and National Chef of Scotland, will also judge the candidates on their performance.

The winner of this year’s Scholarship will be taken on an incredible 2-day educational trip to France with Grande Cuisine and gain hands-on experience at the 2-Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles. The scholar will undertake a stage at the 3-Michelin star Core by Clare Smyth in London and receive a bespoke chef’s jacket. These highly informative experiences will be taken over two years, allowing the winner to develop their learnings over time.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said:

“The remarkable legacy of Andrew Fairlie continues with the fifth annual Scholarship. This is a truly remarkable opportunity for up-and-coming Scottish culinary talent and a gateway to unrivalled industry opportunities that will strengthen their personal and professional development.

“We were delighted by the quantity of applications this year from all around Scotland, which made it very difficult to choose the final five. The finalists should be prepared to pull out all the stops to impress our judges and be in for a chance of claiming the prizes. Wishing them all the best of luck for the 27 of November!”

Stephen McLaughlin, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie Head Chef and lead judge, said:

“The finalists have shown that they truly understand the brief and have put a lot of thought and care into their applications, providing clean, simple and concise recipes. Every single one sounds delicious and a potential winner, and we can’t wait to taste them. I could feel their passion and see their craft shining through, so I can tell it will be really difficult for the judges to separate them, hopefully everyone cooks to their full potential on Finals day!”.