Staff Spotlight - Gordon Muir

Whilst we are all adapting to home learning/working, we thought that we would catch up with some of our staff members to find out more about them - and see what they have been up to during lockdown! This week, we catch up with our Sodexo Head Chef

Tell us about yourself?

I’m Gordon Muir. I am 53 years old, from Perth. After 10 years working in England, I returned to Perth in 2002. I began working at Perth College UHI in 2006.

What is your role at Perth College UHI? 

I work as the Head Chef for the in-house caterers, Sodexo. My role has developed over the 13 years I have worked here, and today I am part of the team who work directly with students to deliver on the job training as part of their coursework. Under normal circumstances, we have a class in our Food Court kitchen each day, who cook for their fellow students and are able to develop their skills under realistic working conditions.

What’s the best part of your job?

I get to work at close quarters with students, and I am able to see them blossom over the years we have them. I get great pleasure out of meeting chefs who have passed through our kitchen and gone on to make a name for themselves in our industry. I also get to work with a brilliant team of Sodexo staff, and fellow college chef Michael Nicholson.

What might people be surprised to know about you? 

I have walked the West Highland Way, five times since 2012. It’s a 97-mile hike from Milngavie near Glasgow, up to Fort William. It’s through some of Scotland’s most rugged and beautiful landscape. I usually do it with a small group - but for my 50th birthday back in 2017, I did it solo and for the charity, Stop Hunger. With some wonderful support from my colleagues within the college, and my friends and family, I raised around £4600. I have also just agreed this week to do it again in 2021.

Favourite type of food? 

As a chef, I have some weird eating habits. But, if I am going to sit down for a really nice dinner, I like nothing better than an individual Beef Wellington with fresh and lightly cooked asparagus and dauphinoise potatoes. Perversely, I also love a crisp sandwich.

Have you been cooking or baking anything nice during lockdown?

I cook our evening meal most nights at home. There are just the two of us, so we keep it simple mostly. I have though been a little naughty and cooked 4 batches of Scottish Tablet during the lockdown. Sadly, for my expanding waistline - or maybe it’s my clothes that are shrinking - it never lasts long.

Favourite holiday destination?

I have been very fortunate to have visited some wonderful places over the years - including Australia, Alaska, Canada, Egypt and Saint Petersburg in Russia - but, without doubt, the place I love most is Switzerland. I have been there many times, and was back there last year -this time staying in Interlaken. It is simply a beautiful and well-run country where nothing is ever too much for our hosts when it comes to our enjoyment and comfort

Where would you like to go when lockdown is over and it is safe to travel again?

Right now, the straight forward answer to that is anywhere. We had a cruise down the Mosel in Germany booked for the last week in June – but, as with most things - that has fallen by the wayside.

Favourite book?

Freddie Mercury’s biography. A very complex and creative man who lived life to the full.

Have you been reading any good books during lockdown? 

I have been reading the story of the Rocky Mountaineer, which was gifted to me by the people at the Rocky Mountaineer when we travelled across Canada on their amazing train in 2018.

Favourite TV show?

Really hard question. I love a good laugh. Limiting me to one choice is almost impossible.  I will go for the Fast Show, because it “suits me sir”.

What TV shows have you been watching during lockdown?

The Sopranos, from the start for the second time. All 86 episodes. We have about 10 left to go. Also, any and every quiz show. It helps keep the grey matter in condition.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I honestly never thought about it until I was about 13, before then all I wanted was to be a kid. Aged 13, I was given a job in a local hotel washing dishes and pots. The rest as they say, is history.

If you were a super-hero, what type of powers would you have?

The power to make people laugh. Because a laugh - while not solving everything - goes a long way to easing, even for a moment, life’s hardest challenges.

First thing you would do if you won £1 million?

At this stage in my life, I would probably take a world cruise. Then when I got back, I would realise I am too young to retire and just go back to work.

Who, or what, inspires you? 

Mother nature inspires me. I never fail to marvel at the beauty of our world, the wonder of our wildlife and the ability of the planet to overcome anything humankind throws at it.

What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?

Not sure where I heard it, but the line “God gave you only one mouth, but two ears for a reason” resonates with me.

Happiest memory? 

St. Johnstone - our local football team - winning the Scottish Cup in 2014. It was the greatest day of my life.

And most embarrassing?

Oh jeez, I have a few of these. One college-based one involved putting boiling hot oil - a lot of oil - in a PLASTIC bucket! A big plastic bucket, which 5 minutes later was a completely melted bucket. 40 litres of oil covered vast swathes of my kitchen floor - and worse, this happened during service, with a kitchen full of students. Luckily there are no photos of this, because as I stood there, head in hands screaming ‘Noooooooooooooo’, the student perhaps realised the danger taking photos might pose to their health. Michael still enjoys reminding me from time to time….

What else have you been doing during lockdown to keep busy?

Taking photographs, lot of them. I am very into wildlife photography and I am lucky enough to live very close to the River Tay - where on any given day, I can spot a vast amount of birds and mammals. To try and keep some sort of routine, I get up very early every morning and take a walk for a few hours before the network of paths become busy. This aids me in spotting subject material.  Today, I got up at 4.15am and was out by 4.45am. It is just the “best time of the day”