Food lovers often do a double take when they catch sight of one of the chef lecturers at City of Glasgow College.
Whether he’s in his chef’s whites or not, Gary Maclean is now well-known as the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2016. There was an expectation that he might use this high profile win to leave his role as senior chef lecturer to find fortune in the commercial world. Not so.
“I love my job,” Gary says. “It’s the best feeling in the world engaging with students, all with a real hunger to learn. If I had to teach for the rest of my days, I’d be happy.”
The father of five, and CIS Excellence Hospitality Educator of the Year winner is staying put.
Gary enrolled at what was the Glasgow College of Food Technology in 1988 and not long after his student days ended, he returned as a part-time lecturer. He enjoyed the work so much, he stayed.
He is also Scotland's first ever National Chef, a Scottish Government appointment to promote the country's rich larder of produce and encourage healthy eating.