Fair Way Forward for Blair Pair
Malcolm Smillie and Andy Bremner were new neighbours in Ballinluig, chatting over the garden fence. The friendship grew and, over a few beers, the pair decided that they should go into partnership and set-up some sort of catering business. They considered various mobile catering opportunities but couldn’t find something that they both wanted to do.
Malcolm continued with his job as manager at Café Biba in Pitlochry and Andy with his job as assistant warehouse manager at House of Bruar. Then, through a chance conversation between Andy and a member of staff at Bruar, he learned that Blair Atholl Golf Course was looking for self-employed caterers to take on the Fairways Restaurant at the golf course. |
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Andy got on the phone to Malcolm, they met up and, after discussing how they could make it work, they decided that it was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Their meetings with the Golf Club Committee went very well and the boys’ ideas were well received. Sample menus were put forward and ,after negotiations on the length of lease, the deal was done.
Their first week was a real baptism of fire, they won the contract to supply the STV team filming their new programme at Blair Castle, with breakfast, lunch and dinner, so they were busy settling in to their new premises while simultaneously conducting their outside catering operation.
Commitment
With Malcolm at front-of-house and Andy (whose background is catering having completed his training working for the Stakis organisation) doing the cooking, both are very driven to make this enterprise succeed. They are working long hours to do so, with both wives, Danielle and Carrie, on hand to offer help and support when needed.
“We are open from 8am until 9pm and all the food is freshly prepared, no frozen food here,” emphasised Andy, who believes in using only the best local, seasonal produce where available. He continued: “There are daily specials with a fresh fish dish of the day and our very popular ‘Sunday Roast Dinner’.”
The club house sits in wonderful surroundings and new full-time Club Steward, Helen Zaczek, welcomes everyone with a smile.
Malcolm said “the Fairways Restaurant is not just for the golf club members, it is fully open to the public and they can drop in for coffee, snacks, lunch and dinner, it’s a beautiful spot here in Blair Atholl.”
Summer Special and Packages
The Fairway Pair are planning a ‘Summer Special’ with an evening of Prize Bingo, Buffet & Beer on Sunday 15 July, with all welcome to come along and join them.
They are sponsoring a ladies and gents 9 hole golf competition for the ‘Fairways Trophy’, to raise funds for improvements to the new outside eating area.
Also available are packages for golfers offering a ‘Morning Package’ of hot filled roll & tea or coffee, 18 holes of golf plus 2 course lunch all for £27.
An all day package is also available, with hot filled roll & tea or coffee, 36 holes of golf, snack lunch and 2 course dinner for £37.
To book a table at the Fairways Restaurant, or to discuss an outside catering event, you can contact Malcolm and Andy on 01796 481751 or visit www.blairathollgolfclub.co.uk
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