Michelin man Kitchin wins another top culinary prize

Published on Wednesday 9 July 2008 01:51

A RESTAURANT owned by one of Scotland's rising culinary stars was last night named the British hospitality industry's best newcomer.

The Kitchin on Leith's waterfront, which has already been awarded a Michelin star, was honoured at the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards Ceremony in London.

Tom Kitchin, the 31-year-old owner and chef, is the latest in a string of Scots to win the prestigious newcomer award, including Andrew Fairlie, Gordon Ramsay and Andrew Radford. The competition, widely regarded as the "Oscars" of the catering world, sees contenders nominated and judged by their industry peers.

Also honoured at last night's gala ceremony for the awards – known within the industry as "The Cateys" – was the Isle of Eriska Hotel, near Oban, which was named the UK's best independent hotel.

Situated on its own island, which is accessible by a bridge, the 25-bed hotel boasts 300 acres of land, a nine-hole golf course, a spa and a nature reserve.

The "Big House" on the island was rescued from neglect in 1973 by Robin and Sheena Buchanan-Smith, whose family still run it. The Isle of Eriska was named best country house hotel in last year's Scottish Hotel Awards. It edged out the Longueville Manor Hotel, in Jersey and the Goring Hotel, in London in last night's awards.

The Kitchin won ahead of London's Arbutus restaurant, in Soho, and The George, a hotel in Rye, Sussex.

Mr Kitchin – who trained with Michelin-starred chefs such as Pierre Koffman, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse – opened his Leith restaurant just two years ago on a site at Commercial Quay which had been dogged by difficulties over the years.

But within just months of opening the restaurant had been awarded a coveted Michelin star. He has since gone on to win a string of other plaudits and awards, including three AA rosettes.

Mr Kitchin, who runs the restaurant with his wife, Michaela, said last night: "It's such an honour to be recognised by the industry. We're really proud of what we have achieved over the last two years and the whole team is thrilled. To be associated with the impressive list of previous winners is a huge privilege."

Mr Kitchin, who was brought up in Kinross, started his career at Gleneagles Hotel and trained in leading European restaurants.