About Nick Nairn
Growing up in the gorgeous Scottish Trossachs, Nick’s love of the outdoors and native country came early. But it wasn’t until he answered an advert for a navigating officer in the merchant navy that he discovered the wonderful flavours of global cuisine. Upon returning to Scotland, it wasn’t long before a fascination with food began to develop. This soon grew into a consuming passion.
In 1986 he opened his first restaurant, Braeval, near Aberfoyle. Entirely self-taught, Nick was soon causing a stir with his fresh style of cooking, and just a year after Braeval opened he won the Scottish Field and Bollinger Newcomer of the Year Award. Four years later, Nick’s status as one of Scotland’s finest chefs was confirmed as the restaurant was awarded a coveted Michelin star.
Nick stumbled into the world of television, where his irreverent style combined with Scotland’s fabulous natural produce created Wild Harvest in 1996. Wild Harvest 2 and Island Harvest soon followed, all with accompanying books, and these programmes have now been enjoyed by millions of viewers around the world.
Other shows include Who’ll Do The Pudding, Back to Basics, and Nick Nairn and the Dinner Ladies, for which he won a Glenfiddich award in 2004.
He then took part in three seasons of the Great British Menu, winning the Scottish round in season one, and making it through to the final of the programme. Ultimately, he was voted for by the public to cook the main course at the banquet for Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, a feat which he quotes as one of the highlights of his career.
Nowadays, you'll find Nick on BBC's Landward with best mate Dougie Vipond, with whom he also co-hosted the BBC's Great Food guys.
Nick alongside wife Julia (pictured below) is the proud owner of Nick's on Henderson St, Bridge of Allan, and Nick's at Port of Menteith, Port of Menteith, and the Nick Nairn Cook School.
Both restaurant's on Henderson St and at Port of Menteith offer the ultimate foodie paradise, with menus curated by Nick to showcase the best of Scotland's natural produce.
In August 2021, Nick's on Henderson St, Bridge of Allan, sadly was badly damaged in a fire which ripped through the restaurant in under 90 seconds, in the midst of a Saturday night service. Nick will be back in Bridge of Allan this Friday, 14th July after nearly two years, and he's more than ready to get back in to it.
For now, Nick's efforts are focused on the Nick Nairn Cook School and restaurant in Port of Menteith, and most specifically on his new found love for gardening and his precious polytunnel!
