Troon chef lands top job

May 14 2008 Ayrshire Post

McKEVER Hotels has just appointed a new executive group development chef Graham Headland, 37, from Troon.

Graham now oversees 11 head chefs and one relief chef, and is also responsible for food development and related administration in 11 McKever hotels as well as being in charge of gross profit, kitchen hygiene, menu development, purchasing, and recruitment for the chain.

But Graham will still be very much involved in the production of food and will continue to be a hands-on chef in the group's hotels.

After two years as a relief chef with McKever, Graham ultimately became executive chef and general manager at Ayr's Cariston Hotel prior to taking up his new group-wide job.

"Before joining McKever, I spent time in a number of hotels including Turnberry, so I know the level of excellence I want to reach,” Graham explained.

"My main objective is to get to four-star standard. We're going to get there by focusing on quality and introducing a broader spectrum of dishes using fresh food.

"I believe food is a very sensual, even sexy, thing that combines a complex variety of sensations. Yes, you taste with your taste buds and enjoy the aroma but, before all that, you eat with your eyes. Before a mouthful is taken, you admire the presentation, and in a split-second assess if it's artistic, creative, interesting, appetising.

"Appearance is critically important, so our chefs have got to understand the whole psychology of the eating experience and how it's inextricably linked to a guest's enjoyment of the meal.

“If we get all that right, we'll get to where we want to be."

Another part of Graham's plan is to look closely at the training and development of his team so that his people have all the skills to help them excel - from creating culinary masterpieces to negotiating with the suppliers.