Out and About 19th June 2014
The big out and about news this week is that Johanna is out and about in Cyprus missing the best weather we’ve had here this year which leaves yours truly having a full time shot at relief for the first time.
Successful stint at the Golf Hotel by new boy Davy Brown who is now on his way up to Orkney as is Will Furlong.
Fellow new boy Phil Blackburn has found his feet nicely, stints at the Auchrannie and Crianlarich Hotel completed.
Excellent reference just back from the Tongue Hotel for Shaun Lee who is now off to pastures new. CIS stalwart Tim Morris is up there to take over.
Phil Smith still doing well at Onich after a successful stint at Craigellachie.
Andy Mill professional as ever still in situ at Dowans, Jonny Lewis asked to stay on at Oban Caledonian.
Phillipe ALamichel went in as Chef D but is now leading a team mainly made up of Chefs In Scotland relief guys as the Green Hotel continue recruiting a new permanent team.
So, around 60 out at the moment and a fantastic effort by everybody. What fall downs we do have are generaly from new guys who haven’t quite grasped what being away from home living in not always the best accommodation and working in unfamiliar kitchens will actually feel like.
To the battle hardened CIS relief team..we salute you!
Working on an Island
From Bute to Shetland, Arran to Orkney there are always a good few island jobs at all levels knocking around.. and that’s me only mentioning some of the ones I’ve worked on. What’s clear is that while some chefs love the island life others feel a bit trapped, it can certainly make things difficult if you’ve a family crisis or similar to deal with.
I’ve found my island placements amongst the most welcoming that I’ve done, great craic with the locals in the bar and often a good tune, especially on Skye and Orkney. A fairly high alcohol tolerance level can also help it has to be said.
The first relief job I ever did in Scotland was on Arran, a month as head chef in Lamlash, hadn’t seen too much of Scotland until then, and there it was laid out in miniature in the Firth of Clyde. Early start but a nice 5 hour split gave me plenty of time to explore and it whetted my appetite for more.
Now I take a daily virtual tour from my desk here at CIS and it’s nice to be able to conjure up a picture of the places I’ve been.
By Johanna Watson
Paul Hackland after doing 5 days up at The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness back in March he went straight up to The Parkdean Holiday Park at Nairn Lochloy for 1 week but is still working away getting on well.
Andy Mill is still at The Dowans Hotel in Aberlour another good long stint Andy.
Marion Pohlmann is still doing well with Franc at The Links Hotel in Montrose.
Scott Galloway getting on extremely well at East Haugh and is staying on for an extra few days.
Graeme Kennedy after helping out at Capriolo for a few days last week he is off again to The Green Hotel.
Grant Buchanan and Kenny Bruce working well at The Kenmore Hotel.
Patrik Pohly is at The Scotland’s Hotel in Pitlochry.
Ally Bell is at Murrayshall Hotel in Scone and is working well with Head Chef Craig Jackson.
Ian Barron and Stephen Kessell still working away over on the Isle of Arran at Auchrannie.
Phil Smith and Andy Cook getting on well and making a good team at The Onich Hotel.
Thanks again for your continued support
Another busy week here in Moffat and the rain comes down. Adverts and relief coming in at a fair rate, practically every day we have to put a hold on taking new jobs till we clear the backlog. Around 60 chefs out at the moment, very few fall downs, well done!
Business picking up everywhere it seems, well into the season now and hoteliers are having to make more pragmatic choices to get bodies into the kitchen than they were a month or two ago.
Anyway, back to the coal face to see if I can get some of these sous vacancies filled…
All the best,
Mark
By Johanna Watson
Martain Irvine completed 5 weeks at Onich Hotel and will be travelling over to Nairn today to work at The Golf View Hotel.
Steven Speed is getting on great and enjoying his time at The Old Manor Hotel in Fife and will be staying for longer.
Edvinas Stankaitis is getting on well at The Torridon Inn along with William Sillars.
Phillip Blackburn worked a good stretch at Crianlarich Hotel and is booked for Auchrannie in the Eighteen69 restaurant along with new Head Chef Richard Agnew.
New man William Allan is still working away at Eden Court Theatre where Scott McKenzie and Garry Wilson will join him for 4 days next week.
Steven Chandler good reports back from Moness he will be joining Alan Kaye up at The Boat Inn in Aboyne.
David Ironside getting on well at Broxburn Care Home has enjoyed the Chippy salt and sauce Yes Please !!!
Mark Irons completed Fife Arms in Braemar and is now up at The Tongue Hotel working alongside new relief chef Shaun Lee.
Mikko Koskinen is enjoying the great outdoors up at Nevis Range and is booked again for a 2nd stint in July with a 4 week job down in Lockerbie at The Dryfesdale Hotel along with Antonio Demir.
Thanks again guys for doing great work.
Sun please come out it is June after all
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