City pair turning up the heat in race to win Chef of the Year

TWO leading Edinburgh restaurateurs are in the running to be named Chef of the Year in Scotland's first restaurant awards.

Martin Wishart and Tom Kitchin are among three nominations for the title, one of 14 categories in the new awards.

The winners will be announced at a special ceremony in the Edinburgh International Conference centre on January 28.

Mr Wishart – who runs Restaurant Martin Wishart at The Shore in Leith – has been described by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as "Scotland's next big thing, no question".

He has worked with chefs such as Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White.

And he has just opened a Cook School in Bonnington Road, aiming to give students a background in classic and modern culinary styles.

Mr Kitchin opened his restaurant, The Kitchin, at Leith's waterfront in summer 2006 after starting his career at the Gleneagles Hotel and later working with top chefs, including Guy Savoy in Paris.

The two Edinburgh chefs are up against Andrew Fairlie, who runs his own contemporary restaurant within the Gleneagles Hotel.

And Capital restaurants also feature in most of the other categories of the awards, sponsored by internet booking service 5pm.com

La Favorita in Leith Walk has been nominated for Scotland's best Italian restaurant; Wok & Wine in Frederick Street is in the running to be named best Chinese; and the Cavalry Club in Coates Crescent and Roti in Morrison Street are competing to be the best Indian.

Thai restaurant Dusit in Thistle Street and Japanese restaurant Sushiya in Dalry Road are both nominated in the speciality category.

The Balmoral Hotel's Number One restaurant is in the running for the "fine dining experience" award. Oloroso in Castle Street and Herbe Bistro on George IV Bridge are both on the shortlist for "best city restaurant".

Nominations for the best pub grub award include Kings Wark at The Shore and Hamilton's Bar & Kitchen in Stockbridge.

Urban Angel in Hanover Street has been nominated for health conscious restaurant of the year. The Glasshouse at Eskmills, Musselburgh, is on the shortlist for best customer service.

The best hotel restaurant category includes Rhubarb at Edinburgh's Prestonfield Hotel and The Grill at Dakota, near the Forth Road Bridge.

And Tigerlily in George Street has been nominated for the best restaurant design.


RESTAURANTS IN RUNNING TO BE TOP OF THE DINING TABLE

Chef Of The Year
• Martin Wishart, Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
• Andrew Fairlie, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Perthshire
• Tom Kitchin, The Kitchin, Edinburgh

Best Italian
• La Parmigiana, Glasgow
• Amarone, Glasgow
• La Favorita, Edinburgh

Best Chinese
• Ho Wong, Glasgow
• Amber Regent, Glasgow
• Wok & Wine, Edinburgh

Best Speciality
• Thai, Dusit, Edinburgh
• Seafood, The Seafood Restaurant, St Monans
• Japanese, Sushiya, Edinburgh

Best Indian
• Cavalry Club, Edinburgh
• Mother India, Glasgow
• Roti, Edinburgh

Fine Dining Experience
• Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or, Glasgow
• 29, Glasgow
• Number One, Edinburgh

Best Rural Restaurant
• The Three Chimneys, Skye
• Champany, Linlithgow, West Lothian
• The Peat Inn, Cupar, Fife

Best City Restaurant
• Herbe Bistro, Edinburgh
• The Sisters, Glasgow
• Oloroso, Edinburgh

Best Pub Grub
• Stravaigin Bar, Glasgow
• King's Wark, Edinburgh
• Hamilton's Bar & Kitchen, Edinburgh

Best Hotel Restaurant
• Michael Caines - Abode, Glasgow
• Rhubarb, Prestonfield, Edinburgh
• The Grill at Dakota, Edinburgh

Health Conscious Restaurant Of The Year
• Urban Angel, Edinburgh
• Alfie's, Uddingston
• Grassroots Cafe, Glasgow

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant
• The Loft, Glasgow
• Di Maggios, Glasgow/various
• Howies, Aberdeen

Best Customer Service
• 2 Fat Ladies, Glasgow
• The Glasshouse at Eskmills, Musselburgh
• Silver Darling, Aberdeen

Best Restaurant Design
• Tigerlily, Edinburgh
• The Seafood Restaurant, St Andrews
• Corinthian, Glasgow