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.
5. Peter McKenna
Peter McKenna is head chef at The Gannet - which holds three AA Rosettes, a Bib Gourmand (from 2014 to 2018) and has featured on the Michelin Plate. With experience in both high-end restaurants and as a personal chef for wealthy clients dating back to the mid-90’s - Peter opened The Gannet back in 2013, and in the last 11 years has transformed the restaurant to the institution that it is today. Photo: Victoria Rose
6. Brian Maule
Brian Maule ran what was considered by many as Glasgow’s best restaurant, Chardon d’Or, for 22 years before announcing their closure last month, July 2023. Maule brought high-level dining to Glasgow in 2001 - after refining his craft as head chef of the two Michelin Starred Le Gavroche in London working alongside culinary legends Michel and Albert Roux. Brian is the gold-standard for many Glaswegian chefs, but it’s currently unclear where the celebrity chef will go next. | Brian Maule
7. Jimmy Lee
Pictured here with Jack Whitehall in his restaurant Lychee Oriental on Mitchell Street in the city centre, Jimmy Lee is one of the best-known faces amongst Glasgow’s culinary scene. You can catch Jimmy broadcasting on STV’s Live at Five, his old cookery show also on STV with Julie Lin, ‘Julie and Jimmy’s Hot Woks’ on the same channel. | Lychee
8. Graeme Cheevers
Glaswegian chef Graeme Cheevers cut his teeth in Singaport and New York before coming home to work as Head Chef with Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond. There he retained a Michelin Star at the restaurant for five years before winning another star at the Isle of Erika Hotel in 2018 - two years later in 2020 he nabbed the Island luxury hotel restaurant another star. Cheevers struck out in his own following the Covid-19 pandemic with Unalome in Finnieston, which has already become a fast-favourite of Glaswegians and further afield foodies. Photo: DMcCallum