Orry Shand, of Entier, won Scottish Chef of the Year at this year’s ScotHot at Glasgow’s SECC, sponsored by Brakes Scotland.
The final eight chefs were asked to reproduce the dishes that they cooked in the semi-final heats back in February 2019. They each had to produce a three-course meal of their choice for four covers.
The finalists developed their own menus for the heats but it was a requirement that one course had to include fish. In addition, chefs were asked to produce an amuse bouche for the judges within the first 30 minutes of the competition starting.
Orry walked away with £1,500, the SCOTY trophy and two tickets to the 25th Anniversary dinner of Scottish Chefs which will be held later in the year. Orry said, “I am absolutely delighted – I can’t believe all the hard work has paid off. I was in such a tough field and to win today is the pinnacle of my career. It means everything.”
Orry cooked a starter of Cod Loin and Langoustine with a Seaweed Tartlet, Broccoli Pureé& Shellfish sauce followed by Duck Thigh stuffed confit onion, Crisp Polenta, Heritage Carrot with an Orange Jus for the main course. For dessert, Orry served a Passionfruit Bavaroise with a Salted Caramel Madeleine, Yogurt Espuma and a Mango and Passion fruit sorbet. SCOTY judges, Kevin MacGillivray, Joe Queen, Bruce Sangster, Willie Pike and previous Scottish Chef of the Year winner, Lorna McNee, had a rigorous criteria for marking the dishes, considering all aspects of presentation, seasonality, provenance, working methods, technique and culinary skills.
The judges were also scoring on wastage, hygiene, timing, quality and balance of texturesand flavours as well as the overall presentation of each dish. Second place was awarded to Jamie Mackinnon of The Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews, along with £750, and third place and £500 was awarded to Colin Lyall ofTorNaCoille Country House Hotel.
Head judge Kevin MacGillviray said, “The talent on offer today was incredibly high. It was great to see such passion and determination from all of the finalists. Orry Shand was a very deserving winner.”
All of the other chefs who participated in the finals received £150, a certificate of participation and their respective medals. Knife prizes were also awarded to each chef who produced the best dish for each course.