Vladimirs Kruus, Executive Chef at Edinburgh’s Fettes College, has been named School Chef of the Year at the Scottish School Food Awards.
The awards were held at Glasgow Academy on 6 February 2025.
Chef Vlad beat stiff competition from the chefs at the Highland Council, Gordonstoun School, Barrhead High School and Dollar Academy.
Vlad joined Fettes College as Executive Chef in November 2023 and has since refreshed the school’s menu with dishes like teriyaki salmon and sushi platters, which have been a hit among students and staff. One standout favourite is his chicken katsu curry, served with jasmine rice and chili-garlic pak choi—a dish that has quickly become a dining hall staple.
Vladimirs Kruus, Executive Chef at Fettes College, said: “Being nominated was an honour in itself, but to be named Scotland’s best school chef is truly incredible.
“I love seeing the excitement from students and staff as they try new flavours and rediscover old favourites. It’s a privilege to create menus that are fresh, seasonal, and nutritious while introducing diverse ingredients and global cuisines.”
Vlad spent a season as Head Chef at the famous five-star Balmoral Hotel before taking up his post at the school. As part of his culinary career, Vlad also worked as Head Chef at Apex Hotels and Sous Chef at Radisson Blu.
John Hutchison, Catering Manager at Fettes College, said: “In the short time I have known Vlad I have been incredibly impressed by his deep culinary knowledge, cooking and menu skills.
“His years of experience are clear and evident in every dish and menu he creates, balancing flavours with precision; and consistently delivering high quality food on the plate every time.
“Beyond his technical abilities, Vlad’s leadership skills in the kitchen are truly inspiring. He handles pressure with ease, mentors his team with care, passion and patience and brings a level of professionalism that elevates the whole catering department, which also make him very approachable with staff and students alike.”
The catering team runs regular theme days to celebrate different countries and cultures and introduce new foods to the students. The team always aims to cook nutritional food and have a well-stocked salad bar to ensure balance.
Dedicated to sustainability and quality, Vlad and the catering team prioritise locally sourced ingredients, with over 80% of the school’s food coming from Scottish suppliers. They also champion sustainable practices by consolidating orders from each supplier to minimise their carbon footprint.
For more information about Fettes College, go to https://www.fettes.com/
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