Dornoch chef is winner of 2022 Andrew Fairlie Scholarship

Eddie Brown (30), sous chef at the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, has been named as the recipient of this year’s Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.

He emerged victorious following a final skills test at Perth College UHI last Thursday, November 17. The winner was announced afterwards at Gleneagles.

Eddie will now gain industry-wide recognition as an Andrew Fairlie scholar.

The scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Scottish chef Andrew Fairlie, who ran an eponymous restaurant within the Gleneagles Hotel.

Mr Fairlie was well known for his commitment to supporting and nurturing culinary talent in Scotland.

Launched in 2019, the scholarship is sponsored by the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland, and the Gleneagles Hotel, and supported by Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Perth College UHI.

The finalists had to cook up a dish of their own creation using their choice of Scottish furred game alongside two garnishes and a poivrade – a peppery sauce in French cuisine.

Eddie impressed the judges with his dish using rabbit, fig and brioche.

The judging panel included some of the country's finest chefs, all of whom knew Andrew Fairlie well. Joining Stephen McLaughlin (head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie), was Russell Plowman (senior sous chef at restaurant Andrew Fairlie), Tom Kerridge (chef and patron Hands and Flowers), and Gary Maclean (winner of National Chef of Scotland and MasterChef).

Lead judge Stephen McLaughlin said: "This year's winner, Eddie, has shown great skill and a real understanding of the tasks that we set out for the finalists.

"He has used his knowledge of Scottish and French culinary heritage to help set him apart as this year's recipient of the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship."

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