These are 12 of the most famous chefs to ever cook in Glasgow restaurants
Glasgow is a culinary melting pot - you can have French pastries for breakfast, Japanese Sushi for lunch, and Italian pasta for dinner - which is only possible thanks to the fine chefs of our city.
We have an eclectic mix of chefs in Glasgow that craft all kinds of different dishes from all over the world. In this article we wanted to shine a spotlight on the best-known of these innovative artists whose culinary prowess is known far beyond our city limits.
These kitchen icons helped make Glasgow’s food scene what it is today - bringing attention to the city and inspiring Glaswegians to test their own skills in the kitchen.
Interested in finding out the favourite Glasgow food spots from celebrity chefs? Check out our article on the best restaurants recommended by some of the world’s most famous chefs.
From the international superstar chef Gordon Ramsay to charismatic local legends like Graeme Cheevers - whether they were born and raised in the city, or found their fame in kitchens around Glasgow, here’s eight of the biggest names in Glasgow’s culinary world.
These kitchen icons helped make Glasgow’s food scene what it is today - bringing attention to the city and inspiring Glaswegians to test their own skills in the kitchen.
9. Nick Nairns
Nick Nairn is one of the longest-standing celebrity chefs - although from Stirling Glasgow, he ran the highly respected Nairns restaurant in Glasgow in 1998 and a cook school in 2000 at Lake of Menteith. In 2003, he sold his restaurant in Glasgow to concentrate on the cookery school. Nairn reopened his cook school just this month, January 2024. Photo: Martin J Windebank
10. Ali Ahmed Aslam
Glasgow culinary legend, Ali Ahmed Aslam, invented the Chicken Tikka Masala at the Shish Mahal, which is still open today. Ali sadly passed away at the end of 2022 - but will go down in history as the man who created one of Britain's most popular and enduring dishes - as well as putting Glasgow on the map as the home of good food in Scotland.
11. Dean Banks
Dean Banks, who was a MasterChef: The Professionals finalist in 2018, is an esteemed Scottish chef who made his debut in Glasgow last year with Dulse Glasgow. Certainly one to keep an eye on! Photo: JPI Media
12. Martin Wishart
Martin Wishart is more affiliated with Edinburgh, but nonetheless the Michelin Star chef did at one point hold a restaurant in Glasgow, as well as one on Loch Lomond before they shut down. The chef was the first cook in history to be given an honorary degree. Photo: Ian Rutherford
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