Fragma’s manager becomes head chef in Glasgow restaurant

JOHN KEENAN doesn’t “need a miracle” after becoming the head chef at 55 Bearden Cross following a career in both food and music.

The former manager of German trance group Fragma previously gained a gold disc for his work on the hit song I Need a Miracle and is now hoping to get a AA rosette for his food.

Before being well-known in the music industry for forming record label Contribution Records and working with Scottish artists such as Robert Ferrier and Roberta Childs, Mr Keenan was a chef in the Royal Navy.

Since returning to the culinary world and gaining his HNC in cooking, Mr Keenan has worked as a professional chef in many Scottish restaurants including Pintxo Tapas Restaurant and Wild Cabaret in Glasgow and Melville Castle in Dalkeith.

Considered to be on Masterchef: the Professionals in 2012, Mr Keenan is now excited to take on his new role at 55 Bearsden Cross, which is a cocktail bar and kitchen on Drymen Road.

Mr Keenan said: “I really enjoyed my time in the music industry, it was an exciting and fast paced life, with the Fragma hit a real highlight that I’ll always be thankful for.

“But I always knew it had a shelf life for me, and that food would be the industry I’d return to, but at a new, dedicated level, with the correct training and experience behind me.

“I’m massively excited about this new role at 55 Beardens Cross, which is a stunning bar and kitchen, one of the latest offerings from Worq, which is a fantastic, progressive hospitality business that is really putting its mark on the industry.

“I’m looking to build up the food and drink clientele here, and have already devised a new menu.

“I’d love to gain an AA rosette for my food, that is one of my main ambitions, as I have a gold disc to my name for my former career, so why not the ultimate accolade for my current career?

“The sky is the limit here, and I have a committed and supportive team beside me.”

Jonathan Doherty, managing director of Worq Hospitality, commented: “We welcome John to 55 Bearsden Cross. He is a chef with a huge passion for his craft, coupled with bags of enthusiasm and new ideas. He knows Glasgow inside out too.

“It would also appear that he does indeed put the same level of commitment into his food career as he did in the past with his impressive music career.

“We are very confident that our clientele at 55 Bearsden Cross, our regulars and those still discovering us, will very much enjoy his food.”