Third time lucky as David Littlewood takes title
AN Aberdeenshire chef has been named the best in Scotland after winning a national competition.
David Littlewood, executive chef at Raemoir House Hotel in Banchory, took the Scottish Chef of the Year title on his third attempt, after finishing runner-up in 2009 and 2011.
David was one of eight contenders to take part in the competition at hospitality trade show ScotHot last month.
The contest involved preparing a four-course meal in front of a panel of judges which included Albert Roux, who operates a number of restaurants in Scotland under his Chez Roux brand, including eateries at Greywalls in Muirfield, Rocpool Reserve Hotel in Inverness, and Inver Lodge Hotel in Lochinver.
“Winning this event is phenomenal,” said David.
“It really was a tight competition and I had no idea I would win.
“When the results were called it seemed like a lifetime until my name was called out.”
David’s menu started with venison tartare with caper marmalade, continued with sole mousse with scampi, buttered kale and saffron sauce, then pork fillet and braised pig’s cheek, and finished up with salted peanut and chocolate cake with passion fruit and banana sorbet.
A Masterchef of Great Britain, David formerly worked at the Milton Restaurant in Banchory.
In 2010 the restaurant’s owners, Neil and Julie Rae, purchased the Raemoir and offered David the chance to head the kitchen. The hotel has since won the Country House Hotel of the Year title in 2011 and 2012 at the Scottish Hotel Awards.
