A Perthshire chef who died on the A9 at the weekend was preparing for what would have been one of the greatest nights of his fledgling career.
Ryan Young, head chef at the Opus One restaurant in Perth, had made the short list for “rising star chef of the year” at the Scottish Hotel Awards, held on Sunday night.
The 38-year-old was killed 36 hours before the event at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House when his Yamaha motorbike collided with a 4×4 pickup.
A spokesman for the Scottish Hotel Awards said his untimely death had “cast a shadow” over the ceremony.
“The awards ceremony is usually the biggest rip-roaring and happy event in the Scottish hospitality calendar,” he said.
“However, Ryan’s tragic death cast a shadow over the whole night.
“What has happened is absolutely appalling. He will be very sadly missed.”
The spokesman said the chef had already built up “a fantastic reputation.”
“He had been shortlisted for the rising star chef of the year award. To even be nominated represents an amazing achievement.”
“It confirmed Ryan as one of the top chefs in Scotland and an absolutely tremendous talent.
“Opus One actually won the Scottish city restaurant of the year… That is very much down to the head chef.
“Ryan would have gone on to something incredibly big.”
Those attending the awards struggled to come to terms with the news of Mr Young’s death.
“The organisers made a statement at the start of the night but most people were already talking about the tragedy,” the spokesman added.
“It was still a fantastic occasion but it really was tinged with sadness.”Mr Young, of Main Street, Bankfoot, had been riding on the A9 Perth to Inverness road at about 7.20am on Saturday when the collision happened.
His red and white motorbike collided with a silver Isuzu pickup near to the junction of an unclassified route leading to the B9099 Luncarty road.
Mr Young died at the scene. The driver of the Isuzu was uninjured. The A9 was closed for several hours for an accident investigation.
Last year, Mr Young received the silver award in the new restaurant of the year category at the Scottish Chef Awards, and his restaurant had also been awarded two AA rosettes.
His death has left staff at the Opus One “in shock” and it is understood the restaurant will be closed all week as a mark of respect.
Road policing officers seek motorists who were in the area around the time of the accident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 0300 1112222, speak to any officer or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.