Andrew Fairlie (chef)

Andrew Fairlie
Andrew Fairlie
Born	21 November 1963 (age 62); Perth, Scotland
Died	22 January 2019 (aged 55)
Occupation(s)	Chef, restaurateur
Known for	Proprietor of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie; two Michelin stars

Andrew Fairlie (21 November 1963 – 22 January 2019) was a renowned Scottish chef and proprietor of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, an independent establishment located within the Gleneagles Hotel and Resort in Auchterarder, Perth and Kinross. This restaurant is distinguished as one of only two in Scotland to hold two Michelin stars.

Early life and education

Fairlie was born in Perth and raised in the Letham district. His culinary journey commenced at age 15 when he transitioned from polishing glasses in a hotel to training under chef Keith Podmore. At 20, he earned the first-ever Roux Scholarship, which allowed him to train with French chef Michel Guérard at Les Prés d'Eugénie in Les Landes. His early career also included experience at the esteemed Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.

Career

Upon returning to the United Kingdom, Fairlie occupied various culinary roles before establishing himself in Scotland. He became head chef at One Devonshire Gardens in 1994, where he secured his initial Michelin star—the sole one awarded in Glasgow at that period. In 2001, he launched his own dining venue at Gleneagles Hotel, achieving a Michelin star within eight months. There, he created his signature dish featuring lobster sourced locally and smoked using whisky barrel chips, while also beginning to cultivate rare fruits and vegetables for his culinary creations. Fairlie was the official caterer for the 31st G8 summit in 2005. The restaurant earned its second Michelin star in 2006. In 2017, it became the first Scottish establishment to be listed in Les Grandes Tables du Monde, an elite international restaurant guide.

On 6 November 2018, Fairlie disclosed his intention to relinquish day-to-day management of his Gleneagles restaurant following a terminal brain tumour diagnosis, transferring leadership to his head chef and business partner by February 2019.

Highlights and awards

In 2002, Hotels magazine recognized Restaurant Andrew Fairlie as one of the top ten hotel restaurants worldwide. That same year, Fairlie was honored as the inaugural Scottish Chef of the Year. He prepared meals for Queen Elizabeth II and 44 global leaders during the 2005 G8 Summit. In 2006, he received the AA Chef's Chef of the Year accolade. In 2011, he was designated a Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef du Monde, one of only seven chefs in the UK to hold this distinction. Restaurant Andrew Fairlie was ranked number one on the Sunday Times Food List of Britain's top 100 restaurants in 2012.

Politics

Fairlie endorsed Scottish independence during the 2014 referendum and contributed as a member of Yes Scotland's campaign advisory board.

Personal life

First diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Fairlie was married to Ashley with whom he had two daughters before their divorce. Following his terminal diagnosis, he married his partner Kate in November 2018. His father Jim Sr., along with brothers Philip and Jim Jr., are involved in Scottish National Party politics; Philip serves as a councillor while Jim Jr. is an MSP.

Death

Andrew Fairlie passed away on 22 January 2019 due to a brain tumour. His family publicly confirmed his death.