Fairmont St Andrews appoints executive chef ahead of Open tournament

Ian Syme has been named executive chef at Fairmont St Andrews, overseeing the venues' five restaurants as it prepares to host the qualifying rounds of the Open golf tournament this summer.

He is returning to the property having spent three years as executive sous chef at Gleneagles hotel in Perthshire.

Syme said: "It is a fantastic time to be coming back to Fairmont St Andrews, ahead of what may be our busiest summer on record.

"I am so looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, and meeting some new ones, as we further develop our staff team and our fantastic food offering. I completely share Fairmont's values in the training and developing of people making a start in the industry and look forward to bringing on some new culinary apprentices over time."

The hotel's Andrews' Kittocks and Torrance championship courses will play host to the qualifying rounds of the 150th Open in June.

John Keating, general manager at Fairmont St Andrews, added: "It is a very warm welcome back to chef Syme as he joins the team here at Fairmont St Andrews.

"We are so looking forward to his fresh take on development, training and enhancing our offering as we look ahead to what we hope will be a busy and successful season."