People

Anne Schaeflein – House Manager

As always, time is marching on quickly and our walled garden is bursting with blooms and produce; so much so that Jean-Baptiste decided to include a vegetarian “Taste of the Garden Dish” onto the daily tasting menu.  He has also been busy creating his recipes for the Relais & Chateaux Cookbook where he features alongside all the other UK Relais Chateaux Chefs. The Cookbook was launched on the 21st July. 

Hard work and passion has been invested in the wine cellar and the creation of a new Kinnaird wine list. Max has been sourcing, tasting and composing since November last year. He is now delighted with the new packaging of his ‘baby’ and marvellous moments are guaranteed to suit everyone’s budget.
The renovation of the hotel is an ongoing project and progresses quietly behind the scenes.  Five of our nine bedrooms have been given a fabulous refresh to liven them up.   Deborah , our Head House Keeper, has started to place a lavender pouch bag in each drawer and continues to care lovingly for our antiques throughout the house.

For me – it is absolutely wonderful looking ahead to the many exciting projects we have created for Autumn & Winter this year.  The latest diary is ready to be downloaded. Some of the events I am especially thrilled about, for example, the launch of Kinnaird’s ‘Big Sleep’ has taken a lot of organisation and we think it will stay with us for many years to come... an official excuse to do nothing but relax, sleep and feel good....

Jean-Baptiste Bady – Head Chef

Jean-Baptiste has been part of the kitchen brigade since 2005 and in the summer of 2007 he took the reins as Head Chef.  On the 4th March 2009 he celebrated his new title of ‘Chef of the Year 2009’ from the Scottish Hotel Awards, and in June Young Commis Chef Thomas Helyer emulated this achievement being awarded the ‘Great Britain Chaine Des Rôtisseurs Young chef of the Year 2009’.

“I am truly honoured and proud to pick up this award, not only for myself, but on behalf of the team at Kinnaird who all work very hard to produce excellent food to an impeccable standard.  For me it has always been Relais and Chateaux, the last 4 kitchens I have worked in have all been Relais and Chateaux.  It is a worldwide, trusted name that is synonymous with luxury and great cuisine.  Working in Mrs Ward's home just adds to this, it allows me the freedom I need to express my cuisine.”

Max Schaeflein – Food & Beverage Manager

As the former head Sommelier at Gleneagles Max has a strong passion for wine, a passion which grows daily.  This spring has seen Max developing Kinnaird’s impressive new wine list as well as overseeing the May Whisky month celebrations.

“Wine is my greatest passion. So it only comes natural, that I spent most of my time in the wine cellar or tasting and talking about wine. The new wine list went live in June and features more than 600 wines from around the world. I managed to gather many of the great wines, but the truly irresistible ones are the hidden treasures - the Cloudy Bays and Sassicaias from tomorrow - offering value for money. Many of these are to be found in South America these days.

Food however comes very close to wine. And the pinnacle is, to find the perfect glass of wine to match the dish. This means, if I am not in the cellar - you probably find me in the kitchen talking with Jean-Baptiste. When he creates a new menu, we taste the dishes and pick the wines together, so you can lean back and enjoy a gourmet experience – every day.    

I am looking forward to welcoming you here at Kinnaird and taste – the only way to really appreciate and understand my passions – food and wine.

Alastair & Deborah – Concierge & Head Housekeeper

Most regular guests to Kinnaird will know Alastair and Deborah with fondness as a virtual ‘part of the furniture’ so to speak.  With an impressive 21 Years experience at Kinnaird between them, they really are a fountain of knowledge for any guest visiting the House.

“Kinnaird is very much part of our life now, we have the great advantage of having both our partner alongside us at work, and Juls our adolescent Black Labrador; a big part of our family that loves life at Kinnaird.  Her new best friend Lana, Anne & Maxs’ golden Labrador, always helps get up to innocent mischief and love nothing more than helping show guests around the grounds.  These recent additions to the “Kinnaird family” definitely capture Kinnaird’s welcoming and friendly spirit that has kept both of us here for so long, it is very infectious and growing all the time.”

Charles Logan – Head Gardener

As any gardener will tell you harvest season is amongst the busiest times of the year , but ultimately the most rewarding.  Charlie is part of the team responsible for harnessing the spring energy and turning it into the beautiful Victorian walled garden, lawns and grounds that every guest enjoys.

“I’ve been with Kinnaird for the last ten years, since being instated as a senior grounds keeper in April 2006 I have never looked back.  During the winter months, myself and junior keeper Norwin have been involved in restoring the old path walks.  I really hope the guests get on their hiking boots and have a look at the famous ‘whale bone structure.’  This year I am taking on a new task as the head gardener in the Victorian walled kitchen garden.  I will be supplying the kitchen with fresh organic vegetables as well as growing cut flowers for the house.  I think there is nothing more satisfying than freshly grown produce straight from the garden. It is definitely something we are always improving and expanding on 2009 has also seen the introduction of Estate laid eggs, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve for 2010.”