CRINGLETIE Hotel’s head chef Iain Gourlay has picked up a silver medal at the prestigious International Salon Culinaire competition which was held at the ExCeL London on Wednesday March 23.

The competition, which celebrated its 120th year brought chefs from across the UK together and gave them the chance to test their skills in a live and buzzing show environment.

It was judged by high respected chefs and hospitality professionals including HRC Chef Ambassador Michel Roux Jr, plus senior chefs from institutions such as the Royal Lancaster London, the Royal Household, London Hilton Park Lane and Cowarth Park, Ascot.

Border Telegraph: Iain's dishIain's dish

The Live Theatre kitchens were equipped with state-of-the-art professional catering equipment.

Iain’s award came in the LT11 Alaska Seafood Masters category and involved preparing a design fish dish.

Iain told the Peeblesshire News: “I’m delighted and very proud to have won a silver medal in one of the most prestigious competitions in the UK. For my design dish I had four types of fish from near Alaska to choose from and are given 45-minutes to prepare and cook the dish. Mine was scallops stuffed with Alaskan yellow tailed sole, crispy mussels and mini fondant potatoes with a split goat’s yoghurt sauce.

“I think it’s good for the Scottish Borders and will hopefully get young chefs interested. I knew I wanted to be a chef when I was 14 and have never changed my mind.

Border Telegraph: Ian with his awardIan with his award

“But because of Covid a huge number of chefs have left the industry and its not recovered yet. So I believe that it’s important to get young people interested and involved and this award is important because it shines a light on what can be achieved.”

Iain who lives in Peebles has worked at the Cringletie Hotel for four years helping them secure two AA rosettes which are awarded to: ‘excellent restaurants that aim for and achieve higher standards and better consistency.’