080: Alan Murchison on Michelin star performance

In this episode I speak to Alan Murchison. Alan currently runs a business called the Performance Chef, providing support to a host of sports, teams and executives in providing their food, their fuel and flavours. Alan does this from a unique stand point of credibility as he is a chef, a Michelin starred chef - in fact in his heyday he ran the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, where he oversaw four Michelin starred restaurants. This is where we centre the discussion on entering into the world of fine dining, the talents required both in the chef and the chef training the chefs. We discuss the standards and meticulous preparation required, and whether the old fashion rollocking is fair game in the heat of a kitchen. Alan discusses the pursuit of the Michelin star, how he approached it, and without describing it here and now an intriguing section about what happened after he was awarded it.

There is an intensity to Alan’s approach that seems perfectly aligned to the getting stuff done, setting the bar high and driving others to success and what you might expect from some of the portrayals you would have seen in the media about the dynamics of operating in an elite kitchen. At the heart of my feelings during this conversation - I could feel Alan’s energy, compulsion for better that I (and it might be my inclination) but I can completely see why he led others to excellence. A fascinating discussion - but it made me a bit hungry so have a snack or two on hand.

Show notes

Alan discusses his background and where he started washing pots in kitchens from the age of 14

The familial atmosphere and vibe of a kitchen - it escalated!

A trial at a Michelin star restaurant, tough, hard work, no fun - it was all about excellence.

What is the progression from pot washer to chef

Culinary biomechanics!

Diligent creativity is a rare quality but important for a Michelin chef

Alan discusses his vision of excellence

Alan discusses his ideas of non competition & everyone being a winner!

What does Alan define as excellence?

The vagaries surrounding gaining a Michelin star

Alan realised he was unemployable

Utter focus on perfection and then falling out of love with cooking

Michelin star or nothing Food that is fit for athlete and fit for purpose

Developing online nutritional content for the athlete

Links

Follow Alan on Twitter https://twitter.com/AlanMurchison

And on instagram https://www.instagram.com/performance.chef/

And his website is http://www.performancechef.com/

Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve

Supporting Champions on;

Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs

Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions

If you’re ambitious to work in sports performance, and you realise that there’s no golden ticket to the chocolate factory – that you have to learn and develop and build a network of collaborators to get there – then sign up for our Graduate Membership today – go to http://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ and enrol. We’ll look forward to connecting with you there.

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