Sir Andy Murray eyes up another accolade... a Michelin star for his luxury Cromlix experience
As Scotland's most successful tennis player, Andy Murray is used to serving up a treat for fans.
Now the former two-time Wimbledon Champion and Olympic gold medallist has his eyes fixed on another prestigious accolade to add to his collection.
The 38-year-old and wife Kim, 37, are aiming for a Michelin star, 12 years after buying Cromlix Hotel in his hometown of Dunblane, Perthshire, for a reported £2million.
It comes after the luxury 5-star Victorian hotel, built in 1874, picked up titles for Best Boutique Hotel and Best Historic Hotel in the highly regarded Innis and Gunn Prestige Hotel Awards earlier this month.
The venue has just 15 rooms and suites, all individually decorated and costing upwards from £335 a night, as well as a self-contained Gatehouse Lodge.
According to the hotel's website Mrs Murray is the 'creative force behind the venture, and takes an active role in shaping the Cromlix experience'.
Her input helped secure the hotel an inaugural Michelin Key, an accolade recognising the finest hotels in the Michelin Guide's selection, last year.
In an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper, Mrs Murray said it was 'amazing' to be awarded the accolade as soon as it launched last October.
She said: 'It's a reflection of what we are doing here at Cromlix.
'It exciting to know that we're now on Michelin's radar, they are aware of us, and we will be getting visited by the Michelin Guide inspectors every year.'
And with plans to transform it into a culinary destination following the appointment of James Mearing as executive head chef in February they are now aiming for Michelin star status.
Mrs Murray said: 'Chef James's food is incredible. I didn't used to like salmon, but he has totally converted me with the way he cooks it.
He made two dishes for us when we were looking at him as our new chef, and really, his is exceptional food.
'For Andy, food used to be functional when he was playing, but now it's more indulgent, light and delicious.'
Included in the latest development for the hotel is a new 80-cover glass-fronted restaurant and state-of-the-art kitchen alongside a fine-dining restaurant with 16 tables.
Sir Andy told the publication: 'A good hotel restaurant is so important - it's one of the things I learnt when I was travelling on the tennis Tour.
'The food at Cromlix has always been great in my opinion. But I know Kim and the team are making some changes next year which will make it even better.'
The retired tennis ace has proven he's no master of the kitchen after appearing alongside Dame Mary Berry for her Christmas special in 2023.
She was left decidedly unimpressed to learn his 'signature dish' was eggy bagles and gave him extremely basic tasks as she knocked up a smoked haddock kedgeree.
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