Michael Leathley has been named as Scotland’s Chef of the Year at the National Hotel of the Year Scotland Awards.
The head chef at The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant collected the award at the ceremony with The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye winning the Restaurant of the Year Award.
It means it was a double success for The Wee Hotel Company who own both venues.
Mr Leathley has been head chef at The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant in Argyll for five and a half years with a kitchen team of nine.
It’s the first time he has been recognised for his talent by a panel of travel writers, industry experts and peers.
Menus at The Pierhouse include langoustines, mussels and lobsters harvested from Loch Linnhe and Loch Etive, as well as handpicked oysters from Loch Creran, just 10 minutes away from the hotel.
Commenting on his national award success, Michael said: “It’s a huge honour to have been named Scotland’s Chef of the Year, to represent the wonderful community here in Port Appin, and do my bit to showcase the very best of Argyll to an even wider audience.
“This national recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my family and our incredible kitchen team, who work so hard to ensure The Pierhouse retains its position as one of one of Argyll’s most iconic coastal hotels and seafood restaurants.
“Thanks also goes to our close network of the region’s best local producers and suppliers. I’m exceedingly proud of the relationships that I build up with our suppliers and wherever possible, I source all ingredients within a 50-mile radius of the hotel.
“I would describe my cooking style as unpretentious – a little classic and a little modern. I like to let the produce speak for itself with nice clean flavours. I do like to honour classic dishes but add a playful and comforting twist/
“Coming to work at The Pierhouse has allowed me the freedom to explore and experiment with our incredible local larder and there’s so much of it right on my doorstep. I’d never really felt connected to the food in the same way as I do in Port Appin.”
The Piershouse also won the award for Scotland’s Romantic Restaurant of the Year while general manager Fiona McLean was presented with the Hospitality Heart & Soul Quaich.
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The Three Chimneys picked up its latest national award with the Restaurant of the year title and continues the success it has had since opening in 1985.
Brett Davidge is Managing Director of The Wee Hotel Company, which owns The Three Chimneys on Skye and The Pierhouse Hotel on the Argyll coast.
Commenting on The Three Chimneys ‘Restaurant of the Year’ award, Mr Davidge said: “This is fantastic news for the whole team at The Three Chimneys and helps continue our legacy at the forefront of Scotland’s fine dining scene.
“We’re committed to showcasing the provenance of ingredients and following The Three Chimneys’ sustainable ethos to source high-quality produce from local suppliers on the island and wider Scottish Highlands region.
“Skye is unashamedly blessed with an abundance of local seafood, often sourced from the shores right in front of the restaurant. This amazing seafood is showcased on our menus alongside fresh game, meats and locally foraged produce.
“Our philosophy is that every dish must focus on the best cuts, presented simply and ensuring that the flavour of these wonderful ingredients is at the forefront of each dish.”
Commenting on the success of The Pierhouse, Mr Davidge added: “Huge congratulations also go to everyone at The Pierhouse for their triple award win, including ‘Chef of the Year’, Michael Leathley and our general manager, Fiona McLean, who work tirelessly to ensure this corner of Argyll continues to be the region’s most romantic coastal hotel destination and home to the best seafood restaurant.”
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