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Andrew Fairlie, one of Scotland’s most famous and celebrated chefs, has died at the age of 55.
His father Jim announced his passing this morning; the news arrives following Fairlie’s announcement in November that he was suffering from a terminal brain tumour.
The November announcement included the news that the chef would be stepping away from his role as head chef at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Gleneagles Hotel near Perth in the south east of Scotland.
Today, chefs, writers, and politicians across the country have paid tribute to a chef praised as one of Scotland’s finest.
It is with enormous sadness and grief that Kay and I announce the death of our beloved son Andrew. His wife Kate and his family have kept vigil with him for some weeks. He slipped away quietly this morning but his many achievements & memory will live on
— JimFairlie (@JimFairlie) January 22, 2019
Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon led the tributes, saying the chef’s legacy would “inspire the next generation of world class chefs.”
I’m so sorry to hear that Andrew Fairlie has died. My deepest condolences to his family. Andrew is gone far too soon, but his achievements will always be remembered and his legacy will inspire the next generation of world class chefs. It was a privilege to know him. https://t.co/9pslZYukKl
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 22, 2019
His last employer called him a “treasured part of the Gleneagle’s family.”
We are deeply saddened to learn our friend and colleague Andrew Fairlie passed away this morning (22/01/2019). Andrew was a treasured part of our Gleneagles family, and he will be missed terribly pic.twitter.com/TrJvpo7wXC
— Gleneagles (@Gleneagleshotel) January 22, 2019
The Clove Club head chef Isaac McHale called Fairlie a “giant of cooking in Scotland” and a “proud ambassador for the country.”
Times restaurant critic remembered Fairlie as a “very fine chef and a thoroughly decent man.”
Truly sad news. A very fine chef and a thoroughly decent man https://t.co/FXeyhLpiQB
— Marina O'Loughlin (@MarinaOLoughlin) January 22, 2019
Bibendum’s Claude Bosi replied to Fairlie’s father offering his condolences.
All my sincere condolences and all my thoughts and love go to Kate and the kids
— Claude Bosi (@claudebosi) January 22, 2019
The Michelin Guide account said he was among the U.K.’s finest chefs.
So sad to hear of the passing of Andrew Fairlie. Andrew was one of the UK’s finest chefs and a fantastic ambassador for Scotland. His influence will be widely felt for many years. All our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.
— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) January 22, 2019
Chef Tom Brown, formerly of the Capital Hotel restaurant and now chef-patron at Cornerstone in Hackney Wick, said Fairlie was an “inspiration of every level.”
Such sad news this morning... a true gentleman and an inspiration on every level... Andrew fairlie you will be truly missed pic.twitter.com/WxuGFQVvrL
— Tom Brown (@cheftombrown) January 22, 2019
Chef Ken Hom said he was “devastated.”
I am devastated at the news of Chef Andrew Fairlie #andrewfairlie who was not only a great chef but also a very good and nice person. I wish to convey my condolences to his lovely wife and children! #caterernews
— Ken Hom (@ChefKenHom) January 22, 2019
Michel Roux, patriarch of the Roux family and founder of name’s scholarship — of which Fairlie was the inaugural winner — called the chef “fearless and brilliant.”
Today the Roux Scholarship family mourns the loss of our first scholar, the fearless and brilliant Andrew Fairlie. Our heart goes out to his family and Gleneagles team. Michel Roux, O.B.E. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/HPgAaVx3VH
— Michel Roux (@MichelRouxOBE) January 22, 2019