St Andrews Links has appointed Ian MacDonald as its new executive chef. He takes on responsibility for all restaurants in the three public clubhouses at the Home of Golf.
Welcoming Ian to the Links, Ewen Bowman, director of operations said, ‘Ian is one of the best known figures in the Scottish culinary profession. He has been on the board of the Federation of Chefs Scotland for eight years and has an outstanding track record in training chefs and developing their skills through competition.’
‘This is an exciting time to be joining the Links Trust,’ said Ian. ‘The clubhouses operate to a very high standard. I am lucky with what I have inherited here. The team is well motivated and enthusiastic.’
St Andrews Links Clubhouse has just undergone a major refurbishment, transforming two restaurants into a single space seating up to 170 people, while the circular Castle Course Clubhouse is one of the most striking in golf and will start its first full season of operation on 1 April. The Eden Clubhouse remains a popular attraction for local golfers and visitors alike.
‘I will take a few months to find my way around and assess what the customers want from each of our facilities; it is important to build up a rapport with them.
‘I would like to source food as locally as possible. Provenance is very important today; customers want to know where the food has come from and even how it got here. My ideal would be to have our producers on our own doorstep and Scotland is further ahead in this than England. We are all learning how to appreciate food.’
Ian keeps a keen eye on developments in the industry; ‘There is a definite switch back to more traditional cooking methods, For example, more chefs are choosing slow cooking to enhance the flavour of meats.’
Ian will encourage his staff to deepen their knowledge.
‘Training is very big with me. I teach one morning a week in Perth and I hope to continue my work with Fife Council and local schools in educating young people on how to choose and prepare food.’
Ian comes from a farming background and learned to cook at an early age.
‘My mother was always cooking and baking while my father would often come home with fresh local produce, including all sorts of game. I have always had a love for cooking.’
Ian’s first job was at the Station Hotel in his home town of Inverness. After a spell in Dunkeld he spent many years managing the kitchens at Balbirnie House Hotel, before moving on to a position as Food Sales Manager for Braehead Foods covering an area extending from Aviemore to the Lake District. Ian’s most recent post was as Food Development Manager with Gastro Taverns.
A winner of eight gold medals at national and international level, Ian is co-manager of the Scottish Culinary Olympics team which recently competed in Germany together with 1600 chefs from more than 50 countries. The junior squad is ranked in the world’s top 10.
‘Competitions help to raise the standards of culinary excellence and professionalism, promote camaraderie and provide educational opportunities. They also allow the public to observe developments in the trade. By promoting a greater understanding of sound culinary philosophies, food shows provide an excellent forum for the public's education.’
Ian is 48-years-old and lives in Fife. He is married with four children and has just welcomed a third grandchild. A keen golfer, he organises the Federation of Chefs Scotland golfing days and currently plays to a handicap of 16.
