In less than a year of his first head chefs’ job at Eastwell Manor in Kent Ian was awarded a Michelin Star and 3 years later he and his wife opened their first restaurant venture in Canterbury where they regained the coveted Michelin star in their first year of operation and went on to hold his Michelin Star for 8 years. Ian was in fact the youngest Englishman to gain a Michelin Star. Ian and Jane subsequently went on to win many more awards throughout the years and other ventures. In all they have owned two restaurants and been partners in two others. Ian’s 3 books, A Feast of Fish, Poultry & Game, and A Feast of Fish 2 were all best sellers and he was also featured in Kit Chapman’s book Great British Chefs. He was awarded the honour of ‘Chef Laureate of the British Academy of Gastronomes’ the same year as Raymond Blanc and he has had some of the countries Chefs that went on to become big names through his hands ( Andrew Fairlie, Paul Kitching, Michael Deane, Phil Vickery to name a few)

Recently Ian and Jane sold their last venture, Blackaddie House Hotel in Dumfries & Galloway, after 14 years having successfully achieved 4 Gold Star status and 2 AA Rosettes along with many other accolades. Immediately prior to Blackaddie Ian owned The Culinary Consultancy Company, consultants to the hotel and catering industry in general advising at all levels. Ian’s client list featured Marks &,  Spencers, the NHS, a Dutch food service manufacturer Marfo Martinair, Anton Mosimann’s club the Belfry, Sheffield University, ONE Anglia Railways, TAPS restaurant and brewery in Istanbul, GEEST, Master Chefs of Great Britain and many more.

Ian was also Culinary Director of In House Catering a London Based contract caterer.

Until 2021 Ian was also Chairman of Visit South West Scotland the region's Destination Management Organisation.

Some Accolades

4 Gold Stars from VS

4 Gold Stars from AA

Winner of Best Restaurant Experience Thistle Awards 2020 

Winner Ambassador for Scotland 2018 Thistle Awards

Winner CIS Chef of the Year 2016

Chef of the Year 2016 D&G Life Awards

Finalist CIS Chef of the Year 2011 & 2014 & 2015

3 Gold Star Award 2014 Visit Scotland

Silver Eat Scotland 2009/10/11/12/13

2 Rosettes AA 1998, 2009/10/11/12/13/14

Michelin star 1981,82,83, 84,85, 86,87,88

Author of Three Books; A Feast of Fish, Poultry & Game & A Feast of Fish Two

Featured as one of the top UK Chefs in Great British Chefs 1 by Kit Chapman

1989 Featured in “The Times Magazine” as only one of three chefs in their prediction of “People to watch in the Nineties”.

Kent Restaurant of the Year 1984

Good Food Guide 16/20 1986/87/88

Good Food Guide 15/20 1981/82/83/84/85

Hampshire Brasserie of the Year in the Good Food Guide 1997. 

1997, 98 awarded 5/10 in the Good Food Guide 

Awarded “Chef Laureate” of the British Academy of Gastronome’s 1987.

Good Food Guide 4/10 2010/11/12/13/14

Good Hotel Guide 2014

16/20 Good Food Guide. 1986, 87, 88

Egon Ronay One Star 82/83/84/85/86/87/88

Gold Medal Winner Basel Culinary Olympics 1977