Gary Maclean, Scotland’s first government-appointed national chef, promotes locally sourced and produced food, as well as healthy, sustainable eating and food education in Scotland. He also serves as an executive chef lecturer at City of Glasgow College and won BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016.
Gary Maclean will contribute to training through BaxterStorey’s academies and masterclasses. With his deep understanding of Scottish culture and passion for local ingredients, he will also help the company strengthen partnerships with regional producers and growers to source the best local ingredients in Scotland.
Hannah Catley, a Bristol-based baker and owner of Lockdown Loaves and Catley’s, previously worked as a pastry chef at Chiltern Firehouse in London. She launched Lockdown Loaves during the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering baked goods in her hometown.
Catley will play a key role in enhancing BaxterStorey’s commitment to craft baking by sharing her expertise to develop team members’ skills. She will provide hands-on training through the BaxterStorey Chef Academy and support the development of pastry skills in client location kitchens.
Andrew Aston, head of chef partnerships, wellness and communities at BaxterStorey, said: “Our head of food for Scotland, John Fleming, and I are delighted to be bringing Gary into the business. We know that Gary’s fantastic knowledge, creativity and energy will be a huge asset to our teams in Scotland. As national chef for Scotland, he brings a wealth of global culinary experience, and we are eager to see the relationships and innovation he will foster.
“Similarly, bringing in a chef partner with a focus on pastry was always part of our longer-term strategy, and when we met Hannah, we knew she was the perfect fit for our business. Hannah is a passionate young businesswoman with a deep love for what she does and a strong commitment to training. We are excited to see the impact she will have on our pastry chefs, and all our chefs.”
Gary Maclean said: “I’m excited to partner with BaxterStorey, focusing on mentorship, hands-on training, and the best local produce. I’m looking forward to working with an incredible team to inspire the next generation of chefs and celebrate great Scottish food.”
Hannah Catley said: “I am so excited to be collaborating with BaxterStorey and to be able to contribute to their communities by way of training our teams and creating a more approachable way of implementing pastry skills within our kitchens.”
Gary Maclean and Hannah Catley join BaxterStorey’s existing lineup of chef partners, which includes Kirk Haworth, Ruth Hansom, Josh Eggleton, Jenny Chandler, and Thuy Diem Pham. Last year, the chef partners dedicated nearly 3,000 hours to cooking alongside BaxterStorey team members, sharing their expertise, and hosting experiences for both teams and clients.
