Alan Murchison

Alan Murchison is a Michelin-starred Scottish chef and restaurateur, living and working in England.

Alan Murchison
Born1971[1]
Inverness, Scotland[2]
NationalityScots
Known forMichelin starred L'Ortolan

Career

Murchison started his kitchen career as a kitchen porter, aged 14. Like most chefs, he worked in a number of restaurants, learning and promoting along the way. He had stints in Claridges, Inverlochy Castle, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, L'Ortolan and Nobu. In 1999, he became director of the cookery school of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons.[3][4][5]

Murchison returned to L'ortolan in 2001. This time as head chef. In 2003, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star.[6][7] Two years later he left to take up a position as executive head chef at Chewton Glen hotel in New Milton, Hampshire.[8] He left three months later.[9] After a few minor consultancy jobs, Murchison rejoined L'ortolan in September 2004, this time as director-executive head chef with an option to buy the restaurant.[10]

In 2007, Murchison jumped on the opportunity to buy the former Hibiscus restaurant in Ludlow, Shropshire from Claude Bosi. He reopened the place as La Bécasse.[11]

Later, Murchison founded "Alan Murchison Restaurants Ltd.",[12][13] later restyled as the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group. The general idea behind it was:

The 10 in 8 concept was born in response to Alan Murchison's ambition to build a financially sustainable collection of fine dining restaurants over an eight-year period. Each restaurant would be individual, representing the highest standards the industry could offer and be capable of earning at least one Michelin Star within just 3 years of opening.

The group now includes four restaurants and a cookery school.[14]

Alan Murchison acquired Paris House in late 2009. The Woburn, Bedfordshire-based restaurant was bought out of the legacy of Peter Chandler, who died earlier in 2009.[15]

Murchison also acted as mentor for the Nestlé Toque d'Or student catering competition 2010. In Murchison's opinion it is to give something back, having benefited from strong mentorship early in his career.[16] He also took part in BBC's show Great British Menu 2010, representing Scotland. He did not reach the finals.[17]

In 2010, Murchison added the New Angel restaurant to his "10 in 8 Fine Dining Group". He had the plan to reopen is with its original name Carved Angels, but found out that was impossible due to trademark issues. At the end, the restaurant reopened as Angélique.[18][19][20]

In 2011, Murchison again took part in the show "Great British Menu". This time as a judge for the Scottish contestants.[21]

Book
  • Food for Thought, 2007[22]

Personal

Murchison is married to Fiona and has four children.[23] He is a talented amateur cyclist and duathlete, becoming World and European sprint duathlon champion in his age group in 2013, 2014 and 2015 at championships held in Horst, the Netherlands; Ottawa, Canada; and Pontevedra, Spain.

References
  1. "Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100: Alan Murchison, 10 in 8". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  2. BBC – Alan Murchison
  3. "Alan Murchison Executive Chef & Managing Director". Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  4. "Come fry with me". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 27 July 2000.
  5. "Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100: Alan Murchison, 10 in 8". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  6. "Alan Murchison Executive Chef & Managing Director". Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  7. Adkins, Helen (24 April 2003). "What future for L'Ortolan?". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  8. "Stembridge is named MD at Chewton Glen". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 2 July 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  9. "News Round-up". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 8 December 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  10. "Third time lucky for Murchison". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  11. Bill, Tom (16 January 2007). "Bosi moves Hibiscus to London as Murchison takes on Ludlow". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  12. Kühn, Kerstin (26 February 2010). "Paris House, Woburn". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  13. BBC – Alan Murchison
  14. "0 in 8 Fine Dining Group – About Us". Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  15. Gerrard, Neill (15 January 2010). "Alan Murchison confirms acquisition of Paris House". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  16. Mullen, Rosalind (22 April 2010). "Chef mentors – guiding lights". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  17. Kühn, Kerstin (1 July 2010). "Meet the four finalists in the Great British Menu 2010". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  18. Kühn, Kerstin (24 September 2010). "Alan Murchison buys former John Burton Race restaurant the New Angel". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  19. Kühn, Kerstin (8 November 2010). "Alan Murchison seeks new name for Dartmouth's New Angel". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  20. Stamford, Janie (22 December 2010). "Dartmouth's New Angel to be renamed Angélique". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  21. L'Ortolan chef Alan Murchison to be TV judge
  22. BBC – Alan Murchison
  23. "Alan Murchison Executive Chef & Managing Director". Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
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