A Career in Events and Catering: Andrew’s Journey to Balmer Lawn Hotel
At Balmer Lawn Hotel, we’re passionate about hosting unforgettable events and catering for our local community and beyond.
This month, we’re speaking exclusively to our executive chef, Andrew, as he tells us all about his career in hospitality so far.
Tell us about yourself… What's your job title and how long have you worked at Balmer Lawn Hotel?
My name is Andrew Gault, Executive Chef at Balmer Lawn. I’ve been part of the team since October 2021.
Events and catering: What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is the closeness of the team that can be felt as soon as you step through the doors, both as a guest and an employee.
Tell us more about your role at the hotel. What does your day/week look like?
Every day is different as we have so much going on. Whether it’s a full restaurant, a group lunch meeting or a wedding, each event gets the same level of commitment and concentration to make sure our guests leave happy.
Can you briefly describe your journey through the hospitality industry?
My events and catering journey started in 1990 in Scotland. I worked for a small hotel, which gave me a great career start. Since then, I have progressed through the industry working in world class hotels such as Gleneagles, The K Club, Burj Al Arab, Turnberry, and St. Andrews Bay.
Events and catering: What initially attracted you to the hospitality industry?
What attracted me at first was the great camaraderie that chefs have. I still keep in touch with some chefs I worked with 25 years ago! The creativity aspect and the chance to travel was also a definite bonus.
Why did you decide to pursue your career in hospitality?
When I was still at school, I helped with the washing up in some restaurant kitchens - so I just saw it as a natural progression.
Can you tell us about your qualifications? What qualifications have you had to achieve for a career in hospitality, and have you completed any additional training?
I went to college in Scotland to obtain my 7061/7062, which are the standard qualifications for this industry. Many years ago, then whilst I worked at Gleneagles, I did on-the-job training to obtain SVQ level 3. Since then, I have gained many more qualifications for working in hotels.
Why did you choose Balmer Lawn Hotel as the location for the next step in your career?
I chose Balmer Lawn as it has a very energetic vibe. I had worked previously with a couple of members of staff and knew the general manager from a few previous events.
Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to over the next year or so?
I am very much looking forward to the UK and world returning to some form of normality over the next year, where hopefully the industry can come back stronger and better than ever. Hopefully, tourism will flourish with ‘staycations’ and people from the UK will understand how beautiful our own country actually is.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about a career in hospitality?
Have a goal of where you want to start and where you want to end up, learn as much as you can and strive to be the best - even when you think nobody is looking.
