Perthshire country resort Dunkeld House Hotel has welcomed Duncan McKay as its new executive chef.
McKay has taken on the permanent role at Dunkeld House, which is part of the Crerar Hotels Collection, after taking a temporary position there at the beginning of the year, which saw him ‘fall in love with the property and surrounding area’.
He joins the team with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry – before starting at Dunkeld House, McKay worked across the Manorview Hotels portfolio. He has also worked at Trump Turnberry, as well as Ayrshire’s Buzzworks Holdings venues and two of the Bannatyne Hotel Group properties, Charlton House and Hastings Spa Hotel.
Dunkeld House is home to The Stag brasserie, which offers locally sourced produce and ‘creative, seasonal dishes’ in a warming atmosphere for lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
The hotel is a popular wedding venue, which McKay and his team also cater for, ensuring all scales of event are well looked after.
General manager at Dunkeld House, Hervé Bernier, said: “I am thrilled that Duncan has decided to stay on at Dunkeld House.
“His extensive experience and skills as an executive chef are truly admirable, and he has excelled in this role so far, so I’m looking forward to continuing to watch him flourish in the kitchen.”
McKay commented: “Dunkeld House Hotel is a truly fantastic hotel with an already impressive food and beverage offering, so I am incredibly honoured to step into the role of executive chef permanently, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside the team who make this hotel so exceptional.
“The role of executive chef at Dunkeld House Hotel is a real mix of responsibilities. There is a lot of planning, development, and coaching, so I’m lucky to have such a solid team to help support, including the head chef Paul.
“Over the last few years, it has become harder to recruit chefs throughout Scotland, so it’s reassuring to see how much Dunkeld House Hotel supports its team through ongoing training and coaching and provides a safe and professional environment that gives staff the opportunity to refine their skills and progress in their careers.”
