MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary MacLean appointed Scotland’s first national chef

MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 champion, Gary MacLean has been selected as Scotland’s first official national chef.

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The Guardian reports that Gary was appointed the position earlier today (Thursday, November 30). As Scotland’s national chef, Gary’s main duties will involve celebrating Scottish produce and teaching people how they can maximise locally sourced, healthy and affordable food.

On his appointment, Gary said: "As a passionate advocate for cooking fresh, nutritious and locally-sourced food, I am absolutely delighted to be appointed Scotland's first National Chef.

"I'm sure my passion for education will also help to promote the benefits that Scottish produce can have on a healthy diet and will help to change our relationship with locally sourced and produced food."

Gary was appointed the position following plans made by Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon back in September to help promote locally sourced, produce and drink. The appointment will also help Scotland become a good food nation going forward.

According to the Guardian, Cabinet secretary for the Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing said: "The appointment of Gary Maclean as our National Chef will play a central role in celebrating the rich larder of produce that we have available and advocate the use of locally sourced, healthy, sustainable and affordable food.

“Scotland’s food and drink sector is a global success story and one of the main contributors to our economy. We want to build upon this success by becoming a world-leading good food nation where nutritious, fresh and environmentally sustainable food is a key part of what makes people proud of their country, and Gary will play a leading role in delivering this ambition.”

The food and drink sector in Scotland is now worth an estimated £13.5bn a year.

Gary Maclean is senior chef lecturer at City of Glasgow College. The chef rose to prominence after appearing on the ninth series of the UK’s MasterChef: The Professionals eventually winning the show and joining a long list of previous winners.

Gary qualified as a chef almost 30 years ago and has worked in numerous top restaurants around Glasgow before he became a chef lecturer at the college where he trained. He has been with City of Glasgow College for 13 years.