1. Melanie Andrews
15 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-date
The 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-date
Craigard 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

2.  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-date
Visit 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 2008-2009
Helensburgh 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 1983-1990
Argyle 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 leadership
expertise
 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 & compliance
focused
 Vast planning, analysis and problem-solving skills  Highly organised with meticulous attention to
detail
 Outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills  Confident, determined and driven to succeed

3.  Excellent client and stakeholder relations skills  Calm and assured in pressurised environments
 Accomplished communicator, coach and mentor  Professionalism, diplomacy and integrity at all
times
References Available Upon Request