Neil Forbes takes best chef title at Scottish Restaurant Awards

Edinburgh chef Neil Forbes has been named Scottish Chef of the Year in the Scottish Restaurant Awards.

The former Michelin-starred chef, who was at the helm of the Atrium and Blue restaurants until they closed last month, won the award at a ceremony held at the Glasgow Science Centre earlier this week. He was praised for his use of Scottish produce and promoting the local industry.

Currently executive chef at Edinburgh's Cafe St Honoré, Forbes said he was honoured to have been recognised for his work with local, Scottish produce.

"We really do have the best ingredients here on our doorsteps and I hope to encourage other chefs to consider the benefits of supporting smaller, independent suppliers," he said.

Scotland's best newcomer was Castle Terrace, the second restaurant by Michelin-starred Tom Kitchin, which is a joint-venture with chef Dominic Jack.

Other major winners included Michelin-starred Martin Wishart, who won the fine-dining award, as well as the Three Chimneys in Skye, which picked up the best rural restaurant prize.

Meanwhile the Isle of Eriska Hotel was named the top hotel-restaurant, with Smiths in Uddingston winning the overall restaurant of the year award.

Scottish Restaurant Award winners

Best Italian Restaurant Cucina @Missoni, Edinburgh
Best Indian Restaurant Balbir's, Glasgow
Best Oriental Restaurant See Woo, Glasgow
Best Family Restaurant West Brewery, Glasgow
Chef of the Year Neil Forbes
Fine Dining Experience of the Year Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
Best Pub Grub Stravaigin, Glasgow
Best Hotel Restaurant Isle of Eriska Hotel
Best Customer Service Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery, Glasgow
Best Rural Restaurant Three Chimneys, Skye
Best Urban Restaurant Smiths, Uddingston, South Lanarkshire
Best Seafood Restaurant Loch Leven Seafood Café, near Glencoe
Best Newcomer Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
Restaurant of the Year Smiths, Uddingston

Andrew and Lisa Radford close Atrium and Blue >>

Tom Kitchin named Scottish Chef of the Year >>

Tom Kitchin to open second restaurant in Edinburgh >>

By Gemma Rowbotham

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