‘A leading light for FutureChef Scotland’: private chef Mark Heirs dies

Stirling-based private chef Mark Heirs, who was known as a “cherished supporter” of industry charity Springboard, has died.

A spokesperson for Springboard said: “Mark’s dedication to Springboard FutureChef, generous mentorship and culinary wisdom ignited career paths and shaped the future of many of our students over the years.

“While words fall short, we find solace knowing that his legacy lives through every aspiring chef he inspired.

"The Springboard Charity will forever treasure his unwavering belief in nurturing potential and his countless contributions to our mission.”

Industry peers have also paid tribute to the chef. David Mulcahy, chairman of Springboard’s FutureChef competition and former food innovation and sustainability director at Sodexo, said: “Incredibly sad news. Mark was a leading light for FutureChef Scotland and an inspiring chef to so many. He particularly championed young people and the talent he knew so many young people have within them.

“As a FutureChef ambassador, mentor, judge and generous human being, Mark has left a legacy to be celebrated.”

Trudi Parr, head of people and development at Mollie’s Motels, said: “A wonderful legacy for his loved ones to be proud of.”

Susie Fraser, founder and chair at marketing agency dot + del, added: "I worked with him for more than 10 years at Ideal Home Show where he shared his knowledge and passion for food with the tens of thousands of visitors. He was a gentleman who showed kindness to all he worked with. The whole team at dot + del will so miss him and his wonderfully warm smile."

Heirs was raised in the hospitality industry, having worked in the kitchens of his parents’ pubs and restaurants. After leaving catering college in Glasgow, he trained at Glasgow’s One Devonshire Gardens and Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck in Bray.

He then appeared in the first series of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals before returning home in 2009 to support the family business.

Following the sale of the family-run company in 2013, Heirs moved away from restaurants to become a private chef, cooking for Hollywood celebrities and business leaders.

During his career, he was a loyal supporter of Springboard, having been a judge for many years at FutureChef, including at last year’s national final.

He was recognised with numerous accolades for his commitments to the FutureChef competition as judge and mentor, most notably at the Springboard Awards for Excellence, where he won the Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution in 2017 and Ambassador of the Year in 2018.

Please send your tributes to jungmin.seo@thecaterer.com.

Image: Springboard LinkedIn