A TOP chef who has cooked for celebrities including Cameron Diaz has joined forces with Ayrshire hospitality operator Buzzworks. 

Brian Maule, who ran one of Scotland’s most famous fine dining restaurants, Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or, in Glasgow for 22 years, has joined the business as a consultant.

The chef, originally from Stevenston, cut his teeth in the culinary capital of the world, Lyon in France, before working for the Roux Brothers at the prestigious 2-star Michelin restaurant, Le Gavroche in Mayfair.

Buzzworks says he will use his wealth of experience in the next six months to focus on enhancing collaboration and overall efficiency across the kitchens at Buzzworks' 19 venues.

The business recently announced that negotiations are under way for new venues and plans to grow the business further, creating up to 800 new jobs in the coming years.

Brian said: “I started my career in Ayrshire as a chef apprentice before heading to France to hone my skills, so this feels in part like a homecoming, collaborating with Buzzworks, which also started its successful tenure here in the region.

“The business is already well regarded, and I’ve been impressed with their high standards.

"My role will be to enhance this further, working with the talented kitchen teams to raise their level once more so that the business can continue to grow and bring its first-class brand of hospitality to new communities across Scotland.”

Brian, a former pupil at Auchenharvie Academy, began his cooking career at the Hospitality Inn in Irvine after his home economics teacher secured him a placement there.

Buzzworks, consistently named in the Top 100 Companies to Work For, currently operates 19 prestigious venues across Scotland, employing more than 800 team members.

The Buzzworks portfolio includes The Fox, the Lido and Scotts in Troon, the Lido and Vic's & The Vine in Prestwick, The Long House and The Duke in Kilmarnock, The Tree House and T-Bar in Ayr, The Corner House in Kilwinning, and Scotts in Largs.

It also operates venues in Greenock, Edinburgh, South Queensferry, North Berwick and Linlithgow.

Chardon D'Or closed down in July 2023 after 22 years in business in Glasgow city centre.

Nicola Watt, Buzzworks' head of people, said: “Bringing in Brian Maule is an excellent coup for the business and testament to our ambition of growing Buzzworks further.

“With more than 40 years in the business, operating at the highest level, Brian’s knowledge will be invaluable as we look to not only continue delivering an exceptional experience to our customers, but looking behind the scenes at streamlining our operations to ensure the highest standards possible.

“Despite challenging conditions for everyone within the industry, working with the likes of Brian will help ensure our continued success, optimising our ways of working so that we are best equipped to deal with the increasing external pressures, whilst maintaining and building on our well-regarded reputation.

“We look forward to seeing what added benefits Brian brings over the next six months.”

As well as working behind the scenes across the venues, Brian will also be headlining a special chef’s evening at Buzzworks’ flagship venue, The Vine.

Having cooked for the likes of Morgan Freeman, Cameron Diaz and Halle Berry, those keen to enjoy an evening of cooking from Brian and the talented kitchen team in Prestwick, should keep an eye on the Buzzworks Love Food Feel Good website for information.