Renowned Scottish Chef Martin Wishart has received an Honorary Degree from the University of Edinburgh, the first chef to be given the prestigious accolade in the institution’s 428-year history.
Date:
Mon, 28 Nov 2011
Source:
Martin Wishart
Awarded in recognition of his outstanding culinary contribution to Edinburgh and Scotland, the Degree of Doctor honoris causa acknowledges the huge success of Martin Wishart’s restaurants and associated business ventures.
Martin was the first Michelin star chef in Edinburgh, and the Degree highlights his personal contribution in encouraging other world-class chefs to open establishments in the city, leading to its development as a hub of world-class dining.
Edinburgh now has more Michelin star restaurants than any other city in the UK outside London.
Martin Wishart commented: "I am thrilled and humbled to be receiving my Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh University. It personally means a great deal to have my achievements recognised by such an esteemed institution.
"It has been 10 years since Restaurant Martin Wishart in Leith received its Michelin star and my fondness and passion for the city has never abated. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Edinburgh dining experience for years to come."
Professor Chris Haslett commented: "Many in the University would recognise the analogy with a leading academic. Martin Wishart has been trained by the best; he has built a group of international standing; his work is interdisciplinary, melding craft, science and art; he strives for perfection; he trains; he teaches; he creates wealth for the Scottish economy; he advises government; and, in peer-review, he is pre-eminent.
"Martin has personally contributed a great deal in helping to establish the city’s reputation as a fine-food destination, which has had a positive impact on tourism, too. It has created jobs and provided exceptional, international standard training to talented young chefs."
Established in 1583, The University of Edinburgh introduced Honorary Degrees in 1695. Since then, Honorary Degrees have been awarded to over 2700 individuals including Alexander Graham Bell, Sir Winston Churchill, JK Rowling and David Attenborough.
Martin Wishart trained under renowned chefs including Albert Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Marco Pierre White, Nick Nairn, Marc Meneau and Charlie Trotter.
He is an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking and keeps at the top of his profession by forming bonds with other internationally acclaimed restaurants. Martin's career has taken him around the world to Australia, the USA and across Europe.
In New York he was invited to cook at the James Beard Foundation and experienced the kitchens of Per-Se, Daniel Boulud and The Bernadin. Meanwhile, in Holland he has established a friendship and professional relationship with Lucas Rive from the two Michelin-starred restaurant De Bokkedoorns and Jonnie Boer from the three Michelin-starred restaurant De Librije.
Martin Wishart opened his eponymous restaurant in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith in 1999. Since then it has become known as one of the UK’s most acclaimed dining venues, currently holding one Michelin Star, 4 AA rosettes and a score of 8/10 in the Good Food Guide.
The restaurant was recently recognised as Scotland’s best restaurant in the 2011-12 Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in Britain and placed eighth overall.
Restaurant Martin Wishart was named joint number one in the Top 50 French Restaurants in the UK by TopTable.com in July 2011.
Martin received his second Michelin star for his other fine-dining venture, Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond, in October 2011.
Martin Wishart Cook School launched in Edinburgh in 2007 where Martin shares his enthusiasm for cooking and introduces people to a range of new food experiences.
In 2008, he was appointed by the Scottish Government as a member of the Scotland Food & Drink Policy Leadership Forum. He led the group advising policy on ‘Enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink’.
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Martin Wishart