From Orkney Kitchens to Offshore Success: Gary Nicolson’s Hospitality Journey

Former UHI Orkney student shares how studying Hospitality opened doors from local business to offshore catering in the North Sea.

UHI Orkney is celebrating the success of former Hospitality student Gary Nicolson, whose career has taken him from the kitchens of Orkney to the offshore rigs of the North Sea.

After completing his NC in Hospitality and SVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery at UHI Orkney, Gary launched his own business, Orkney Kitchens. His passion for food and drive to succeed has now led him to join Compass Group ESS, where he is training as a Manager as part of their innovative Nextwave programme.

In his current role offshore, Gary is gaining experience in kitchen management, health and safety, menu planning, stock control, and leading catering teams to deliver high-quality meals in remote environments.

Reflecting on his time studying at UHI Orkney, Gary credits his courses with giving him the essential cookery skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in a demanding industry.

“What I enjoy most is the variety and teamwork,” says Gary. “Every day brings new challenges, from creating exciting dishes in a remote environment to problem-solving under pressure. I would highly recommend the Hospitality courses at UHI Orkney – they provide not just the cooking skills but also the life skills needed to succeed in a wide range of careers.”

Congratulations to Gary on his achievements so far – we look forward to seeing what’s next in his journey.

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