Photo of
April 23, 2012
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Open air lunch at the Farmers’ Market in Edinburgh

Interesting times at Edinburgh’s Farmers’ Market where chefs Dale Mailley and Edward Murray are hosting a series of pop-ups before launching their new restaurant, The Gardener’s Cottage, in June.

Each Saturday, weather permitting, the two chefs are running an open air dining space at the market. The day before, they visit producers, most of whom sell at the market, source their ingredients and then put together a set brunch and lunch menu which they cook at the market.

The pop-ups are in preparation for the duo’s restaurant which plans to operate Thursday to Monday from the funny little building which sits in Royal Terrace Gardens at the foot of Calton Hill. Originally the cottage for the gardener, the B-listed building was designed by William Playfair and constructed in 1836.

It has been empty for several years but is currently undergoing major refurbishment. Diners will eat from three communal dining tables which are being hand-crafted from reclaimed teak decking which originally came from the Glasgow-built SS Olympia.

The Gardener’s Cottage will major on the best seasonal, local produce while nurturing sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with the local community and local producers.  Each sitting will consist of a set menu devised to showcase the best produce available on the day with diners being seated at one of three communal dining tables seating ten.

The chefs also plan to make the most of the restaurant’s surrounding garden by growing as much fruit, vegetables and herbs there as possible.  In better weather, outside dining and picnic baskets will be available.

Dale commented: ‘We hope The Gardener’s Cottage will have a strong sense of place, with unfussy seasonal food connecting chef, diner, producer and landscape.’

Dale and Edward have strong CVs with stints at The Outsider, Blue, The Atrium, Cafe St Honoré and The Kitchin in Edinburgh along with a number of Mark Hix’s restaurants and the two Michelin star Ledbury in London.

There’s lots more info at their website here.

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Dale and Edward dish up at the Farmers’ Market