Age: 21
With a passion for cooking since the tender age of three, Fraser Cameron has always known he was destined for a career in food and drink. Now at 21, he is sous chef at the Michelin-starred Restaurant 21212 by Paul Kitching in Edinburgh. Not bad for a lad from Galloway!
21212 has become a star attraction of the Edinburgh food scene since opening it’s doors almost ten years ago and has received numerous awards since opening, including best new restaurant in the UK and a Michelin star.
“From a young age I have pushed myself to achieve my goals. I have worked in kitchens since the age of 14 started as a kitchen porter in a local pub in Galloway where I grew up. After a week’s work experience I knew retail wasn’t for me so I concentrated on getting into cooking.”
It’s his love of food and the camaraderie of a working kitchen which cemented Fraser’s career aspirations and now he gets to cook with some of Scotland’s best produce on a daily basis.
“Working in such an environment as 21212 has been has been a fantastic opportunity to be creative and dynamic, travel the world, make friends for life and push myself further than I ever thought was possible.”
It’s these opportunities which Fraser believes offers young people need to take full advantage of to get involved in the food and drink industry and help it grow.
“Throughout my journey so far I have been able to taste and cook with some amazing ingredients and produce. Scotland really does have the most fantastic produce and the quality is second to none. It’s an honour to be able to cook with it.”
Fraser’s #ScotFoodGoals are to see more Scottish restaurants receive a second Michelin star with even the hope of seeing an establishment awarded three stars – this would be a country first! Personally, Fraser wants to one day open and run his own restaurant using the best Scottish produce and winning some prestigious industry awards.
Watch Fraser’s #ScotFoodGoals video
