A panel of expert judges has been announced for the very first Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.

The scholarship, which was launched earlier this year, aims to recognise two Michelin star chef Andrew Fairlie’s “significant and lasting contribution” to Scotland’s hospitality industry.

Andrew passed away at the beginning of this year after announcing he had a terminal brain tumour.

Having grown up in Perth, he ran his flagship restaurant at Gleneagles for a number of years.

Tom Kerridge

The scholarship in his name will give both a male and a female aspiring chef the chance to forge ahead in their culinary career.

Whoever wins the scholarship will be able to work in an international kitchen, as well as at the Culinary Institute of America and at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.

Now, as the application process opens for the scholarship, Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced its stellar line-up of prestigious judges.

The panel will include Michelin star chefs Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains, Masterchef: The Professionals winner and the national chef of Scotland Gary McLean, and Keith Podmore, who was Andrew Fairlie’s mentor and former chef de cuisine at Boodles.

And from Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Lorna McNee and head chef Stephen McLaughlin will also sit on the judging panel.

Gary McLean

Conor O’Leary, general manager at Gleneagles, David Cochrane, HIT Scotland’s chief executive, and a representative from the Scottish Government will also be involved in the judging process.

As a Roux scholar alongside Andrew Fairlie, Sat Bains says he knows the value of this experience at an early stage in a chef’s career.

He said: “From the moment I met Andrew in 1999, via the Roux Scholarship, I looked up to him.

“I appreciated his counsel and advice, and I admired him hugely as a fellow chef.

“I absolutely treasured our friendship and some of the moments we spent together over the past 20 years are some of the highlights of my career.

“The scholarship will help to carry on the phenomenal legacy that Andrew leaves behind, and mimics beautifully the amazing opportunity that he once had when he became the inaugural winner of the Roux Scholarship in 1984.

“The creation of a scholarship of this magnitude in Scotland is massively overdue, and I know Andrew would have been particularly chuffed to have inspired a scholarship that will recognise male and female chefs in equal measure.

“I feel incredibly proud and privileged to play a part in the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship and I hope I am able to support it for many years to come.”

Sats Bain

Stephen McLaughlin, head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, also said: “I was in the unique and privileged position to work with Andrew for 26 years - which has sculpted me both professionally and personally - and it’s with honour and pride that I continue to fly the flag for Andrew through my involvement in this scholarship.

“Successful Andrew Fairlie scholars should be capable chefs, but, equally importantly, we are looking for ‘Andrew Fairlie people’ to join the family, as individuals who can demonstrate professionalism, commitment, compassion and kindness - all that Andrew had in droves.

“We are passionate about encouraging and supporting the next generation of culinary talent in Scotland - this way, as members of the Andrew Fairlie family, we can continue his legacy in a manner that suitably represents the man himself.”

Lorna McNee

Potential candidates will need to complete an online application form stating why they should win the scholarship, alongside designing a three-course summer-inspired lunch menu.

A shortlist of finalists will then need to take part in a skills test.

To apply, visit www.hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships before Friday, June 28.