Ayrshire hospitality group SimpsInns has appointed Ewan McAllister as its new executive head chef.
McAllister, 43, will now lead Simpsinns’ kitchen team of over 40 professionals across its five restaurants, including Coast Restaurant at The Gailes Hotel & Spa, The Potting Shed at Si!! in Irvine, The Loans Inn at Troon and The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride.
SimpsInns stressed that it was proud of its reputation for offering ‘some of the best food and drink experiences on the Ayrshire coast’ – but was equally clear that McAllister has been recruited ‘to take a fresh look at the menus across the group’ with a view to elevating that food and drink experience.
Ewan comes to SimpsInns with over 24 years’ experience in a variety of culinary and hospitality roles, most recently as an executive chef at the Corinthian Club in Glasgow, and head chef at Seamill Hydro Hotel.
But he is no stranger to Ayrshire, having been head chef at the Kirkmichael Arms in Maybole for 11 years, playing a key role in achieving 2 AA rosette status for the restaurant.
His first project for SimpsInns is to create a new menu for The Loans Inn at Troon, which is currently undergoing a makeover in time for a spring re-launch.
McAllister said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenges that this new position will bring. It’s the pinnacle of my career to date and provides me with a wonderful opportunity to make a real mark on Ayrshire’s food and drink scene.
“My culinary philosophy is to keep things local and seasonal and to serve well-cooked and well-presented tasty food to our all our guests at each of SimpsInns’ restaurants.
“Scottish produce is second to none, so I plan to add more local ingredients and make the most of the amazing local seafood landed in Troon,” he added.
“I’m delighted to get langoustines and seafood delivered straight to the kitchen door from the boat and use Blackthorn Sea Salt, which is produced right here in Ayrshire.”
Lee Simpson from SimpsInns said: “We’re really excited to see what Ewan will create across SimpsInns’ collection of restaurants. His culinary talent will play a huge part in attracting local customers and overnights guests for a great value dining experience as we develop and expand our offering in 2025.
“We know Ewan is the right choice to spearhead our kitchen teams and further enhance our growing reputation for providing some of Ayrshire’s most exciting food and drink destinations.”
