Chef patron at Popular Edinburgh Establishment Crowned Chef of the Year

The chef patron of renowned Edinburgh eatery Wedgwood the Restaurant was crowned Edinburgh Chef of the Year at this year’s Edinburgh Evening News Restaurant Awards.

Sponsored by Scotch Beef PGI, the ‘Chef of the Year’ award was presented to Paul Wedgwood owner of Wedgwood the Restaurant in recognition of his flair, skill and creativity in the kitchen.

Hosted at The Principal Hotel in Edinburgh, the second annual Edinburgh Restaurant Awards featured 14 categories celebrating the incredible culinary scene Edinburgh has to offer, whilst also recognising the most popular chefs and restaurants across the Scottish Capital.

The evening was widely attended by some of the industry’s most celebrated names, including restaurant owners, chefs, food bloggers and those from the hospitality profession.

Ciara El-Mansi, PR and Marketing Executive at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), said: “QMS is delighted to acknowledge and celebrate Paul Wedgwood’s talent and creativity with this award. He is a passionate and ambitious chef, and this is reflected in the exquisite food he creates.

“Sponsored by Scotch Beef PGI, the award for ‘Chef of the Year’ is a chance to recognise those individuals who champion high quality and locally sourced ingredients, just like Scotch Beef, something that Paul is known to promote in each of his food endeavours.

“Scotland’s reputation as a leader in food and drink is being strengthened by the range of talented chefs we have here in our country. Last year’s ‘Chef of the Year’ winner was Scotch Beef Club member, Mark Greenaway, and we are thrilled to be able to recognise another exceptional chef in 2019.”

The category of ‘Chef of the Year’ was judged by a panel of food and drink experts primarily on presentation, cooking skills, knowledge and taste. The panel also judged the chefs on the inspiration and drive they have shown in the journey behind setting up their own restaurants. 

From pubs to Michelin starred restaurants, winning chef Paul Wedgwood’s long-term goal had been to combine his broad range of experience and open his own restaurant. In 2007, he opened Wedgwood the Restaurant, an establishment which quickly became recognised as a key culinary player in Edinburgh’s fine-dining scene.

Paul takes his culinary inspiration from his regular travels across the world, and this is reflected in the unique dishes he creates at Wedgwood the Restaurant. He often forages for unusual ingredients and herbs himself, and these feature across the menu.

Paul Wedgwood said: “Winning this award is such an honour. Edinburgh is a hub of fantastically talented chefs who are at the forefront of establishing Scotland as a leader in culinary excellence. To be a part of this is hugely exciting and rewarding.

“Opening my own restaurant had been a long-held dream of mine, and winning this award shows how far I have come. My passion is creating new, original dishes using only the best ingredients, and the source of my produce is extremely important to me so to be recognised in the category sponsored by Scotch Beef, an ingredient renowned for its quality assured and locally sourced properties is fantastic.”

For more information on the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands, including recipes, videos and tips, visit www.scotchkitchen.com or follow Scotch Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.