‘Significant moment’ - Xavier Brette and John Preston return to Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles has appointed Xavier Brette as general manager and John Preston as restaurant manager.
The appointments reunite two former members of the team with head chef Stevie McLaughlin, as Scotland's longest-standing two-Michelin-starred restaurant celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Xavier previously spent three years at the restaurant as assistant restaurant manager, while John worked in front of house roles there for almost 12 years. Both worked alongside the late Andrew Fairlie, his wife and the restaurant's director, Kate Fairlie, and Stevie during that time, helping to establish its reputation for exceptional hospitality.
Stevie said: "Having Xavier and John back at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie means so much to all of us. The team literally leapt out of their seats with joy when we shared the news with them.
“It's always been our motto to work hard to be a better restaurant, but to have fun with it, and Xavier and John really understand and embody this. They're highly skilled and professional, but both have a wicked sense of humour.
"We couldn't be happier to have their support as we continue building on everything chef Andrew created and all we've established over the last 25 years, particularly as we move the restaurant into a new era.
“It's a significant moment for us and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where it takes us."
Andrew Fairlie opened the restaurant in 2001 after winning the first Roux Scholarship and earning a star at One Devonshire Gardens. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005, and died on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, aged 55, with Kate continuing as director since.
Xavier and John's return
Xavier's appointment comes after former director and general manager Dale Dewsbury left the restaurant in November 2024, having spent 23 years there since it opened in 2001. He was last year replaced by James Ashton, but Xavier has now taken on the role.
Holding a Higher National Diploma in hospitality management from the Hotel School of Mauritius, Xavier has more than 25 years of experience across fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels and Relais & Chateaux properties in Mauritius, France, the UK and the US.
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He most recently worked as experience general manager and resident manager at Winteringham Fields, the Michelin-starred restaurant and five-star hotel in North Lincolnshire.
Whilst at Winteringham Fields, Xavier led the team which won the Front of House Team of the Year at The Staff Canteen Awards 2023.
Xavier said: "I'm over the moon to be part of the Restaurant Andrew Fairlie team again. With 25 years of fine dining and exceptional hospitality experience, I'm proud of what I've achieved so far, but being back 'home' at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is just incredible.
“I'm so happy and thankful to have John with me on this brilliant journey, as we both had the privilege and honour to work with chef Andrew, understand his philosophy and continue his legacy."
John first joined Restaurant Andrew Fairlie as a commis waiter in 2013, before being promoted to head waiter in 2018 and then assistant restaurant manager in 2022.
He holds a degree in international business with modern languages from the University of Strathclyde and has almost two decades of hospitality experience, including supervisory roles in Glasgow.
James Ashton was last year brought into the role of restaurant manager, but John has now taken on the role.
John said: "I couldn't pass up the chance to come back and work at a place which was such a big part of my life for so long, and getting to work with Xavier again was such a big draw, as he was assistant restaurant manager when I first started. I'm looking forward to developing the team and service, working in the 'Andrew Fairlie way' and meeting familiar guests again.
"We have introduced a slightly new way of working at the restaurant, and this will help to develop a quality team looking to provide the type of service that the restaurant has become renowned for and that our regular guests expect from us. It's a very exciting time, and it feels fantastic to be back."
A quarter of a century at the top
In their new roles, Xavier and John will work closely with Stevie and Kate. To mark the anniversary, the team will collaborate with friends and partners across the industry on special events throughout the year.
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie was awarded a Michelin star within a year of opening in 2002, with a second following in 2006. This year marks the 21st consecutive year the restaurant has held two Michelin stars.
The restaurant's French-influenced cuisine draws on seasonal Scottish ingredients, from shellfish at its peak in winter to produce grown in its own Secret Garden, which cultivates more than 250 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs.
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