Chef Andrew Fairlie dies aged 55
Fairlie, 55, revealed in November that he was stepping back from the kitchen at his two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Gleneagles as he was suffering from a terminal brain tumour.
His father Jim Fairlie said this morning: “It is with enormous sadness and grief that Kay and I announce the death of our beloved son Andrew.
“His wife Kate and his family have kept vigil with him for some weeks. He slipped away quietly this morning but his many achievements & memory will live on.”
Fairlie began training as a chef aged 15, and was the first ever winner of the Roux Scholarship in 1984.
His career took him around the world, cooking at Paris’ Hotel Crillion and on the Royal Scotsman train as part of the Orient Express.
He won a Michelin star at Glasgow’s One Devonshire Gardens in the 1990s, before leaving to open Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles in 2001.
The restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 2002, with a second following in 2006. It remains the only two-starred restaurant in Scotland today.
Speaking from Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, head Stephen McLaughlin and general manager Dale Dewsbury said: "We are heartbroken that Andrew has gone, and our thoughts go out to Andrew's wife, Kate and his family.
“Our sadness is matched only by our tremendous pride in all his achievements, and our thankfulness that we had the opportunity to share in his life and career. We have lost our colleague, mentor and friend who was always on hand with great judgement, humour and inspiration.
“We will miss him terribly, but will take strength and huge pride in continuing to burn the flame of outstanding cuisine, service and culture that he established."
We are deeply saddened to learn our friend and colleague Andrew Fairlie passed away this morning (22/01/2019). Andrew was a treasured part of our Gleneagles family, and he will be missed terribly pic.twitter.com/TrJvpo7wXC
— Gleneagles (@Gleneagleshotel) January 22, 2019
I’m so sorry to hear that Andrew Fairlie has died. My deepest condolences to his family. Andrew is gone far too soon, but his achievements will always be remembered and his legacy will inspire the next generation of world class chefs. It was a privilege to know him. https://t.co/9pslZYukKl
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 22, 2019
