Paul Leonard, head chef at The Isle of Eriska has been awarded his first Michelin star.

Paul joined The Isle of Eriska in July 2015 and previously worked at The Samling in Cumbria and Andrew Fairlie's two Michelin star restaurant at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

The Isle of Eriska is a family run hotel and a member of Relais & Chateaux: located just off the west coast of Scotland, two hours north of Glasgow. The island is home to a five star hotel, two 'Hilltop Reserves',  the Stables Spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, new Deck Restaurant and a nine hole golf course.

Paul and the team of chefs ensure that all ingredients used in the restaurants are sourced from the Eriska larder, or as locally as possible. The island produces a much wider variety of raw ingredients than the rest of the UK; from sea vegetables and berries, to wildhips, mushrooms and naturally growing herbs. These ingredients are sustainably used in both the Michelin-star restaurant and the Deck Restaurant. The chefs source meat from the local butchers, smoke their own salmon and keep quail and pigs on the island. They have also been known to fish for mackerel themselves in the surrounding sea.

Paul commented, "I'm honoured to have been awarded a Michelin star on behalf of the team at Eriska. The team have worked incredibly hard over the last year and we are all delighted.

The menu we have at Eriska changes daily, so we focus on freshness, seasonality and sourcing as much as possible locally. The whole island is run organically and we reflect that in the food we produce. We have a great understanding of our identity; who we are and where we're located. Guests feel as though they are getting a taste of the west coast of Scotland and they trust the kitchen which is important."

Beppo Buchanan-Smith, owner of The Isle of Eriska commented "It's a huge recognition of Pauls and his teams talent and their pursuit of serving the really best freshest local ingredients to enhance the taste and flavour”

To book a stay at the Isle of Eriska, please call 01631 720 371 or visit www.eriska-hotel.co.uk

Twitter: @isleoferiska

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Notes to Editors:

The Isle of Eriska is a luxury five resort and member of Relais & Chateaux; located on its own 300 acre private island off the west coast of Scotland.  Eriska has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a casual dining Deck Restaurant, its own nine hole golf course and the recently re-launched the Stables Spa.

The island is five miles from Oban Airport and a two hour drive from Glasgow airport. It is also six miles from Connel Ferry train Station.