The Hot Scots Power 40: Kevin MacGillivray, Simpsinns
by John Porter
Ranking: 34
Kevin MacGillivray - Snapshot
Kevin MacGillivray is group food operations manager of SimpsInns group, which runs the Gailes Hotel, Irvine, the Old Loans Inn, Troon and the Waterside, Seamill, West Kilbride. MacGillivray took up his current role in 2012, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the Scottish hospitality sector to the award-winning group.
Kevin MacGillivray - Career guide
Kevin MacGillivray is one of the leading lights of the Scottish culinary scene. Previous roles include head chef at the Marine Hotel, Troon, and executive chef at Ballathie House Hotel, Perthshire, and his CV also includes a stint as director of Visit Scotland's ‘Eat Scotland Scheme', and a period running his own consultancy. He is the current president of the Federation of Chefs Scotland, was Scottish Chef of the Year from 2000 to 2002 and captained the Scotland Culinary Team for 10 years. He also appeared as a presenter on the BBC Good Food Show Scotland.
Kevin MacGillivray: What we think
Given Kevin MacGillivray's impressive track record, it's not hard to see why the already-acclaimed SimpsInns Group saw the benefits of creating the role of group food operations manager last year, to further raise its culinary reputation.
At SimpsInns, Kevin is responsible for all aspects of food operations within the expanding group, which is family-owned and run by husband and wife team Malcolm and Karen Simpson. As well as creating new dishes and menus across six kitchens, MacGillivray is developing a growing team of chefs and dealing with suppliers to obtain best prices and produce.
One clear sign of his influence is the fact that SimpsInns is now a member in good standing of the prestigious Scotch Beef Club, sourcing only the best Scotch beef for all menus. In addition, SimpsInns supports the Taste Ayrshire initiative, committing wherever possible sourcing only the finest ingredients from local suppliers.
There are also significant expansion plans. Along with its three active hotel businesses, the Riverside Inn by Ayr
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