Murchison started his kitchen career as a kitchen porter, aged 14. Like most chefs, he worked in a number of restaurants, learning and promoting along the way. He had stints in Claridges, Inverlochy Castle, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, L'Ortolan and Nobu. In 1999, he became director of the cookery school of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. Murchison returned to L'ortolan in 2001. This time as head chef. In 2003, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Two years later he left to take up a position as executive head chef at Chewton Glen hotel in New Milton, Hampshire. He left three months later. After a few minor consultancy jobs, Murchison rejoined L'ortolan in September 2004, this time as director-executive head chef with an option to buy the restaurant. In 2007, Murchison jumped on the opportunity to buy the former Hibiscus restaurant in Ludlow, Shropshire from Claude Bosi. He reopened the place as La Bécasse. Later, Murchison founded "Alan Murchison Restaurants Ltd.", later restyled as the 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group. The general idea behind it was: The group now includes four restaurants and a cookery school. Alan Murchison acquired Paris House in late 2009. The Woburn, Bedfordshire-based restaurant was bought out of the legacy of Peter Chandler, who died earlier in 2009. Murchison also acted as mentor for the Nestlé Toque d'Or student catering competition 2010. In Murchison's opinion it is to give something back, having benefited from strong mentorship early in his career. He also took part in BBC's show Great British Menu 2010, representing Scotland. He did not reach the finals. In 2010, Murchison added the New Angel restaurant to his "10 in 8 Fine Dining Group". He had the plan to reopen is with its original name Carved Angels, but found out that was impossible due to trademark issues. At the end, the restaurant reopened as Angélique. In 2011, Murchison again took part in the show "Great British Menu". This time as a judge for the Scottish contestants.
Book
Food for Thought, 2007
Personal
Murchison is married to Fiona and has four children. He is a talented amateur cyclist and duathlete, becoming World and European sprint duathlon champion in his age group in 2013, 2014 and 2015 at championships held in Horst, the Netherlands; Ottawa, Canada; and Pontevedra, Spain.
