Tom Kitchin

Tom Kitchin is the chef proprietor at The Kitchin in Leith, and Scotland's youngest ever recipient of a Michelin star. A well known face from appearances on the likes of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, UKTV Food’s Market Kitchen and The Great British Menu, Tom has also appeared as one of the expert judges on Masterchef. 

An Edinburgh local born and bred, we caught up with the famous chef to find out what he loves most about Edinburgh...

When I hear the words 'Forever Edinburgh', the first thing that springs to mind is...

It’s my home – Edinburgh’s where I live, where I work, where I cook and where my kids were born. For me, there’s nowhere else quite like it, Edinburgh is a beautiful city and I’m so appreciative of the wonderful ingredients we have available right on our doorstep here.

I am proud to live and work in Edinburgh because...

I’m proud that even though I’ve trained in some incredible places across the world, I chose to come back to Edinburgh. When my wife Michaela and I opened The Kitchin in 2006, we did so in a very humble way and we’ve continued to invest back into the business. The city and the locals have allowed our restaurants to grow very organically. It’s fantastic to be a part of the growing Edinburgh food scene - it’s such an amazing, vibrant city.

Edinburgh still surprises me when...

I’m often inspired by just walking through the streets of Edinburgh and seeing the city’s stunning views, buildings and skyline. There’s so much to do and see in Edinburgh, and I love that the Edinburgh skyline changes every night.

The one ingredient/dish that epitomises Edinburgh is...

For me, you can’t source better shellfish than you’ll find here in Edinburgh. Our From Nature to Plate philosophy means we are committed to working with local suppliers and sourcing only the finest ingredients. As soon as they’re in season, we get fresh oysters and langoustines delivered to The Kitchin straight from the fishing boats at Newhaven Harbour and serve them fresh to our guests that day.

Edinburgh is also a great place to enjoy top quality, local game. At The Kitchin and The Scran & Scallie, we are lucky to have established a network of suppliers right on our doorstep. Our game arrives in furs and feathers from local estates. All the butchery is done at the restaurants, ensuring every single part of the produce is used and absolutely nothing goes to waste.

My favourite place to eat in the city centre is...

Roy Brett’s restaurant Ondine, off the Royal Mile, is one of my favourites in Edinburgh. The shellfish is of fantastic quality and I especially admire Roy’s commitment to sustainable Scottish fish and shellfish. I enjoy going with my wife, Michaela and our four boys.

As a local, my hidden gem that most visitors to Edinburgh may miss is...

The Water of Leith walkway to Stockbridge – it’s particularly good on a Sunday as it leads straight to the Stockbridge Farmers’ Market. It’s a stone’s throw away from our gastropub, The Scran & Scallie, so often on a Sunday we’ll go for some breakfast or lunch at The Scran & Scallie, and wander around the market. What’s great about the market is being able to talk directly to a lot of the producers. It’s a real opportunity to explore new ingredients. There’s nowhere else you can hear more about the produce you’re buying, where it’s come from, and the passion behind it and how it has been prepared.

A perfect day in Edinburgh ends with...

A run around Inverleith Park followed by a home cooked meal at the house. Nothing beats spending time with my family and even better if the football is on and Liverpool is playing.