Izabela was chosen from a number of high performing Compass Scotland apprentices to join Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred chef and Compass Scotland’s culinary ambassador Stephen (Stevie) McLaughlin for a four-month internship. She will work alongside the team and learn direct from Stevie in the kitchen at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland.

She said: “I’m over the moon to have been offered this incredible opportunity to work alongside one of the finest chefs in the UK. I’ve been extremely lucky to work in a professional kitchen and learn from some really talented chefs, including my mentors (and heroes), Compass Scotland and ESS culinary director, chef Graham Singer, as well as chef Barry Fleming and chef Chris McLeod - so I can’t believe I’ll now be adding Stevie McLaughlin to that list.”

Originally from Poland, Izabella joined ESS as a kitchen porter in 2014 before being ‘inspired’ to become a chef. She is a former winner of the Compass Young Chef of the Year competition as well as winning awards at the Salon Culinaire in March 2020.

Stevie McLaughlin added: “At Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, we’re passionate about the importance of apprenticeships in supporting the next generation of talent. I was fortunate enough to work alongside my mentor Andrew Fairlie and progressed through the ranks – so I truly understand how valuable this kind of opportunity can be. Izabela has an excellent attitude and skillset, with heaps of potential, so we’re excited to have her working in the kitchen alongside us.”