Edinburgh chef's 'shock' after restaurant wins top award in first year of opening

ONE of Scotland's most revered young chefs said he received a "big shock" after his Edinburgh restaurant claimed a prestigious award at the hospitality industry's equivalent to the Oscars.

Dominic Jack, tipped to win a Michelin star in the near future, said the "hard work" of his team earned Castle Terrace Restaurant recognition by the annual Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards.

The 35-year-old chef and patron of the eatery, a close friend and former colleague of Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin, only opened the establishment less than a year ago, but it has already won widespread acclaim, helping to earn it the Newcomer prize at "The Cateys".

Judges for the respected awards ceremony, who have previously recognised Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Raymond Blanc and Rick Stein, praised the food and service at Castle Terrace, which they argued was helping to "set new standards" for fine dining.

They also said it was "widely tipped" to win the greatest culinary prize of all - a Michelin star - next year.

The recognition for the restaurant, which Mr Kitchin helped set up, is the second major award it has won so far in 2011. In January, judges from the Michelin Guide deemed it worthy of the coveted "rising star" status, an award generally acknowledged as a sign of a restaurant with fully fledged Michelin star potential.

"Winning the prize was a big shock to us, but it's a great thing," said Mr Jack. "It keeps us going, as we are all working full-out at the restaurant. It's nice to be given that recognition for working so hard and it keeps us motivated."

Mr Jack has worked in some of Europe's top Michelin-star kitchens, such as L'Arpge, Les lyses and Taillevent in Paris. He worked alongside Mr Kitchin as commis chef at Gleneagles before moving with him to The Kitchin in Leith.

The sister restaurant of the Leith establishment, Castle Terrace opened its doors on 14 July last year. Nestled beneath Edinburgh Castle, it is based in the former premises of Abstract, the interior of which was redesigned by Mr Kitchin's wife, Michaela.

The Newcomer award was presented to the team behind Castle Terrace at an awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House hotel. It was accepted by Philippe Nublat, the restaurant's food and beverage director.

In a statement, the panel of judges praised the progress that Castle Terrace had made since opening. They said: "This award can go to individuals or businesses that are new to the hospitality scene or, as in this case, a business that has been taken over by someone running their own enterprise for the first time."Our winner is a restaurant that delivers the 'nature to plate' philosophy that so many aim at, and one that is arguably setting new standards in one of the most competitive locations in the British Isles."

They added: "This restaurant has already caught the attention of Michelin, and is widely tipped to pick up its first star next year. And one of the reasons it is doing so well is that the kitchen is under the talented guiding hand of chef-patron Dominic Jack."

In a review just five weeks after it opened, The Scotsman gave a glowing assessment of the food on offer at Castle Terrace, praising the "magical dishes" which "with a few tweaks, could be some of the finest grub in Edinburgh".

At the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, hosted by actor James Nesbitt, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Elena Salvoni, previously of Elena's L'Etoile, and now hosting lunches at Little Italy restaurant in Soho.

Philip Howard the chef and owner at The Square, a Mayfair eatery with two Michelin stars to its name, was named Restaurateur of the Year.

The Chef Award was won by Brett Graham, who is the proprietor at The Ledbury in Notting Hill. The Cringletie House Hotel, Peebles won the Accessibility Award.