Ally Shaw, head of drinks at Scoop Restaurant Group, has been presented with the Michelin Guide’s Exceptional Cocktails Award for his work at the group’s newest Glasgow venue, Sebb’s.
Shaw’s award was announced at the 2026 Michelin Guide Ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland, held in Dublin last night (Monday, 9 February), where the Miller Street venue also picked up its first Michelin Bib Gourmand, which was announced ahead of the ceremony.
Joining Scoop Restaurant Group in early 2024, Shaw now leads the drinks direction at Sebb’s, which has firmly established itself as one of Glasgow’s top venues for cocktails.
The 35-year-old mixologist honed his craft during 15-years working in Glasgow bars and restaurants, but also credits his maths degree for giving him an extra edge.
“I started working in bars while I was studying maths at Glasgow University back in 2011. I didn’t end up using the degree in the way I thought I would, but it definitely still feeds into how I think about drinks.
“Cocktails are actually quite mathematical: there’s science behind it, ratios and balance,” said Ally. “You still need the confidence to take risks and keep pushing things forward. I also get plenty of use out of my degree when tallying up the tills at the end of the night.
“It’s surreal to be recognised by the Michelin Guide, if I’m honest. I’ve learned most of what I know by getting stuck in, working in bars and restaurants, and being around people who really care about what they do, and that’s very much how the drinks at Sebb’s have come together.
“We’re not scared to take risks or change things. We want the team to look at a menu and say, ‘that was great, but we can do better’, rather than just sticking to safe options or greatest hits.”
Scoop Restaurant Group now holds four Michelin Bib Gourmands, with Ox and Finch, Margo, Ka Pao and Sebb’s all recognised by the Michelin Guide. As of last night’s ceremony, Scoop Restaurant Group is the most Michelin-recognised restaurant group in Scotland, based on Bib Gourmand awards.
Scoop managing director Jonathan Macdonald commented: “Ally’s a wonderful talent who is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – we’re proud he chose hospitality as a career and chose to work with us.
“Starting Sebb’s in Glasgow city centre was a leap of faith, but we knew if we put together an amazing team of people, it would all work out.
“The award recognising Ally’s unbelievable talent, alongside our recent Bib Gourmand, is a credit to the team, who are all shaping the experience together with every service.”
