The Tayside winner of MasterChef: The Professionals is planning to open his own restaurant in Dundee or Fife.
Jamie Scott, who won the television competition last year, has worked at Rocca in St Andrews for the past four years.
However, he left his role as head chef last month and is now planning to “take the next step” in his career.
Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Mr Scott said: “I want to open my own restaurant at the end of the year or at the start of next year.
“We are looking at Dundee and Fife as possible locations, probably Dundee. We are looking at a couple of sites and putting the details together.
“I did originally want to go to London but the support I’ve had from Scotland has been phenomenal and I want to settle my roots here and build from here.
“I want to be known as one of Scotland’s best chefs.
“I was at Rocca for four years and had a great time there but I wanted to move on.”
Jamie said several people had come forward wanting to back him in his own venture following his success on the BBC competition. He has a packed schedule of food demonstrations, including Arbroath Sea Fest in his hometown this weekend and the Dundee Flower and Food Festival next month.
Yesterday he met crew members of the Arbroath lifeboat and the town’s Warehouse Gym, who are also playing key roles at Sea Fest at Arbroath Harbour. The lifeboat will be carrying out daily rescues at 2pm today and 1.30pm tomorrow to give visitors a taste of the challenges they face.
Lee Page from the Warehouse Gym has organised a strongman and strongwoman competition, which is bringing competitors from around Scotland to compete in four categories during the two-day festival.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be a selection of children’s activities, including a free sandcastle competition and free craft workshops, as well as fairground rides, live music and more than 100 stalls.
Tomorrow’s events will start with a raft race at 10am, a pie-eating competition at 11am then Jamie’s demonstration at 2pm.
The gates open at 10am today and tomorrow. Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.