A CHEF from Tillicoultry is hoping to take his career to the next level after accepting a senior role at a Dunblane restaurant.

Ross McMillan, 27, has taken the reins as head chef at the brasserie and restaurant located in Old Churches House just across from the town's historic cathedral.

He enjoyed success early in his career when, whilst working at the Stirlingshire management Centre back in 2009, he won the Compass Young Chef of the Year title, seeing competition off from all over the UK.

The same year this was followed by a runner up title in the same category at the ScotHot trade awards.

Ross has since worked in some of the area's top culinary establishments, including Cairn Lodge in Auchterarder and the Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan where he was also head chef.

He said: "Dunblane is building a deserved reputation as a fantastic place at which to eat out, with a great mix of chefs working here at different price points, from Nick Nairn at the Kailyard to Chez Rouz at Cromlix.

"The restaurant here at Old Churches House represents a brilliant opportunity for me to further develop my career, and I am absolutely delighted to be on board.

"We have a hard working, close knit team and everyone has been very welcoming."

The eatery hopes to cater for both vegetarians/vegans and meat lovers.

One of Ross' first tasks was to put his stamp onto the restaurant and bar by revamping the offering, which now features items like the barbecue pork belly, the wild mushroom and goats cheese cheesecake and the homemade beef burger.

To carry on with the restaurant's ethos of sourcing as many ingredients locally as possible, the 27-year-old also linked up with independent butcher JB Cullens of Bridge of Allan who now provides the rib eye steak on the menu.

Ross added: "We're blessed with some amazing local butchers in this area.

"We're also using local beef for our signature steak pie and homemade beef burger. Using local suppliers and displaying a local provenance is very important to me.

"It fits perfectly with what Old Churches House stands for, as a very local employer, and as a hospitality business which promotes what Dunblane has to offer the day tripper and tourist.

"With spring coming we are all looking forward to starting to use the terrace and outdoor seating area again.

"We also have fantastic views from our restaurant windows over to the cathedral. With all this on offer, I hope to lead Old Churches House to its best spring and summer season yet!"