The chef director of Unalome has shared the key to success after winning Glasgow its second Michelin star.
The Finnieston restaurant has joined the elusive ranks alongside Cail Bruich in the prestigious dining guide, which hailed its "bold, sophisticated dishes" and how chef director Graeme Cheevers' "considerable culinary skills pay respect to the finest of Scottish produce”
Unalome took over the former site of The Sisters restaurant last summer, with Graeme announcing his ambition to achieve the top industry accolade within 12 months of opening.
He told Glasgow Live: "It feels amazing. Opening a restaurant during lockdown wasn't easy – so this makes it all the more satisfying. We’ve all worked so hard over last eight months during the pandemic.
"It's great for the team. The success of the restaurant is all about them more than me.
"These are the guys that do the hard work – as well as myself, of course – but I think it's a great satisfaction for them. They knew the target I had set out in the open. It's letting them also see that they can get there if they try."
Having previously earned Michelin Stars at both Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond and the Isle of Eriska Hotel, it's safe to say Graeme was quietly confident.
"Coming here and doing it with my name above the door is a lot more serious and rewarding for me," he said.
"I think it's great for the city; it's showing a better understanding of customers wanting better quality food. I think it’s going to progress and other hopefully other restaurants follow suit.
He added: "It's all about quality of the ingredients, the quality of the service and cooking great food in a relaxed, calm atmosphere. Totally open plan kitchen makes us so much different to the restaurants round about us.
"We're cooking quality ingredients and cooking them well, lots of passion and love going into it, which is why we got that accolade."
Not one to rest on his laurels, Graeme is focusing on the future for Unalome: "The goal is for the restaurant to be busy, the customers to be happy and to create a good buzz. Refine and progress – moving forward and getting more accolades."
Unalome is located at 36 Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow. Please visit http://www.unalomebygc.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @UnalomebyGC.
