Melanie Andrews15 Sutherland Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, G84 8EW 07855 825367 @ andrewsmelanie@sky.com

PERSONAL PROFILE

An energetic, motivated and extremely driven Business Leader, award winning Professional Chef, Master Baker and

Author with entrepreneurial flair, and an excellent track record creating, establishing and developing the Scottish

Baking Awards, a thriving catering company and 3 highly successful and renowned traditional Scottish restaurants

CAREER & KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

Director and Founder 2009-dateThe Scottish Baking Awards (TBSA)

Founded and funded TSBA since 2009, a not for profit and the only regulatory body for bakers across Scotland

Developed a marketing strategy using company website, social media and digital platforms to maximise the USP

Worked tirelessly to build the TSBA from scratch into an industry recognised and authoritative baking award body

Assessed and monitored nominees in the country; determining winners and hosting prestigious award ceremonies

Successfully engaged and involved the media at assessment/presentation events to promote nominees and TSBA

Collaborated with a wide range of business leaders, sponsors and celebrities to gain funding and endorsements

Wrote and published winning reviews for hotels, home bakers, tearooms, cafes, restaurants, schools and colleges

Won personal recognition at local and international levels as one of Scotland’s best self-taught Master Bakers

Invited to meet the Queen at Edinburgh (2014) and take dinner at Dumfries House with Prince Charles (2015)

Presented live cookery slots on Scottish Television and worked with the likes of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood

Planned, organised and taught 6-week free of charge food hygiene and cookery courses for 12 to 16-year-olds

Author and Consultant 1990-date

Wrote, designed, illustrated, printed and sold a range of easy to follow Melanie Andrews baking recipe books

Won the Gourmand World Cookbook Award Scotland (2015)and came 3rd in world in self-published category(2016)

Identified an entrepreneurial opportunity to utilise my experience; developing a consultancy based/advice service

Authored and published a wide range of website content, media articles, company presentations, blogs and reviews

Chaired meetings with local community leaders and MSP’s to identify strategies to transform town centre decline

Business Owner, Professional Chef and Master Baker 1990-dateCraigard Catering

Created Criagard Catering in 1990; supplying high quality homemade cakes to hotels, B&Bs and restaurants

Continuously devised, developed and improved recipes to meet ever changing nutrition and taste requirements

Subsequently set up, from 1992, a profitable chain of 3 traditional Scottish restaurants with combined craft shops

Devised and developed a traditional homemade and cooked to order menu using locally sourced ingredients

Developed and executed sound business strategies and financial planning to achieve personal vision and mission

Expertly managed budgets, costs, supplier negotiations, statutory compliance, financial and administrative records

Recruited, directed and trained a cross functional team to manage front of house operations and up to 100 covers

Liaised with clients to define requirements; planning, organising and delivering a wide range of catering events

Cultivated a positive can-do attitude and team culture to ensure the highest quality & service standards for guests

Meticulously tracked P&L, reviewed pricing structures and drove product upselling initiatives to increase revenue

Evaluated and implemented best practices to ensure compliance to HSE regulations and food safety procedures

CAREER & KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE (continued)

Tourism Ambassador and Blogger 2006-dateVisit Scotland

Solely, and from scratch designed, produced, funded and printed an extensive Helensburgh tourism brochure

Delivered in excess of 25k per year to hotels, restaurants, businesses and all Scottish tourist information centres

Recognised by Visit Scotland in 2006 for promoting tourism; winning a coveted Ambassador for Tourism award

Wrote engaging and vibrant website content across a broad spectrum of food, hospitality and tourism subjects

Director/Charity Trustee | Founding Member 2008-2009Helensburgh Heroes | Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games

Set up the Helensburgh Heroes charitable trust to promote individual and community achievements (2008-09)

Planned, organised and coordinated activities to raise awareness of towns rich and diverse cultural heritage

Invited to teach and mentor Hermitage Academy students on the world-famous and locally born John Logie Baird

Founded the Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games committee; establishing the games modern version (2008)

Devised developed and delivered the vision; successfully returning the games to the town after a 52-year break

Head Chef | Sous Chef 1983-1990Argyle Lodge - Private Nursing Home (1985-90) | The Ardencaple Hotel (Rhu) (1984-85) | Tarbet Hotel (1983)

Organised all kitchen activities and planned special dietary recipes as the head chef at the Argyle Lodge (1985-90)

Led, developed and trained a cross functional team to deliver exceptional service standards and nutritional menus

Evaluated, selected and managed local and national suppliers to ensure fresh high quality material deliveries

Managed and controlled catering budgets; monitoring day-to-day costs to achieve financial targets and forecasts

Hired as the head chef of The Ardencaple Hotel, a 19th century coaching inn located by Loch Lomond (1984-85)

Created, developed and implemented new menus and pricing structures in collaboration with senior management

Planned, coordinated & oversaw special events for large groups such as traditional weddings and private functions

Coordinated kitchen duties to deliver a quality focused customer service as sous chef at the Tarbert Hotel (1983)

Pre 1983, undertook catering/training positions; excelling in all areas of service for several leading Scottish hotels

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & PERSONAL DETAILS

DOB: <add> Fully Disclosure Checked Nationality: British

Fully Trained in Accountancy, Business Management, Leadership, Silver Service and as a Sommelier

SKILLS & KEY COMPETENCIES

Top level catering & hospitality leadershipexpertise

Inspirational, resourceful and proactive leader

Consultant, professional chef and master baker Commercial, strategic and creative decision-maker

Financial, business and entrepreneurial prowess Customer satisfaction, quality & compliancefocused

Vast planning, analysis and problem-solving skills Highly organised with meticulous attention todetail

Outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills Confident, determined and driven to succeed

Excellent client and stakeholder relations skills Calm and assured in pressurised environments

Accomplished communicator, coach and mentor Professionalism, diplomacy and integrity at alltimes

References Available Upon Request