A DUNFERMLINE chef has been Highly Commended at the Scottish Excellence Young Chef of the Year Award.

On his very first time entering, Jack Coghill, the 24-year-old Head Chef of Jack ‘O’Bryan’s Bar and Kitchen in Dunfermline, took home the coveted award at the ceremony last Thursday, March 21. 

Although Jack just missed out on the main award, his wide skill set – including being a Head Chef at just 24 – impressed the judges so much that he was given the special Highly Commended Award.

He said: “I am delighted to receive this Highly Commended Award for Young Chef of the Year, all the more so since I have learned that Highly Commended is a category that is not always given out.

“The judges can choose a winner from the shortlist, with the other chefs on it receiving nothing all at, so it’s really nice to find out that they wanted to acknowledge just where I have got to in my career at this age.

"These awards really mean something because they are judged by other chefs, together with a wide range of industry professionals. They are a respected accreditation, and will really help me build my profile moving forward.”

The Scottish Excellence Awards, which are widely considered to be Scotland’s premier hospitality awards, include a wide range of categories, from Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year to Restaurant Newcomer, Best Sustainable Business, Pub Excellence, and Employer of the Year.

Jack is no stranger to prestigious industry competitions, having been the Runner Up 2020 in the Acorn “30 Under 30” Awards, run by the Caterer Magazine to identify and reward emerging young talent.

He added: "I was up against two very talented young chefs. It's been really tough for young chefs since the pandemic.

"We've all had to work extra hard to catch up on training, mentoring, and all sorts of opportunities.”