Doherty had joined the school as managing director on its launch in March 2009, with the aim of setting it up as one of the leading cook schools in the UK.
He now says he will focus on his business and consultancy at the retailer Lakeland, where he has retained his position as chef / proprietor of the group’s flagship café in Cumbria, and consulted on its new café areas in stores across the UK.
“Working at The Cook School Scotland has been a wonderful opportunity for me and a personal ambition of mine to develop an award winning facility from conception. It’s been a fulfilling journey,” said Doherty.
“It’s now time for me to concentrate my efforts on my consultancy in the Lakes and a chance to do new things.’
School for chefs and public
Doherty, who was the first British chef to run a three-star kitchen – Le Gavroche – in the ’80s, gained a high media profile during his time at the cook school, with regular TV appearances.
The established the cook school as a facility to help chefs develop their skills and experience.
However, he also aimed to make the general public aware that The Cook School Scotland, located at the Kilmarnock based headquarters of Braehead Foods, was open for the general public to come and learn more about cookery in an informative and fun way.
He used interactive sessions and ‘demo and dine’ events to achieve this, and also attracted key names in Scottish hospitality to cook at the school, including Ian Brown of The Ubiquitous Chip and Tony Singh at Oloroso.
Steven Doherty shares his thoughts on his career with BigHospitality here.