Side Quest II: Jenny Niven, Edinburgh International Book Festival

Episode 13: Jess Elliott Dennison, Elliott's

Writer, cook, mum, traveler, entrepreneur, and just all around wonderful human, Jess Elliott Dennison joins Kevin and Carlos for a special episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat. Jess takes us an engaging and entertaining tour through her many food-related eras. From working for Jamie Oliver, to running a cafe, to running a cafe during COVID, to her beautiful cook books, the establishment of her food studio, and her partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, there are few things Jess has not done in and for the Edinburgh food scene. She plays a unique and important role in the city’s (and Scotland’s) hospitality tapestry. Speaking of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, make sure you check out one of the many cooking workshops [https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/have-lunch-with-jess-elliott-dennison] being hosted at Jess’ studio, Elliott’s, AND that you join Kevin and Carlos for a LIVE recording of Eating and Waiting to Eat on 16/8/26 - they’ll be interviewing chef and author Ben Lippett (tickets here [https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/eating-and-waiting-to-eat-podcast-live-with-ben-lippett]).  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat?igsh=MWkwYmw2eTZiM2Vvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr].  Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here [https://www.firsttable.co.uk/] and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings. Connect with this episode’s guest(s): Jess Elliott Dennison on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jess_elliott_dennison/] Elliott's [https://www.elliottsedinburgh.com/] Restaurant(s) recommended by this episode’s guest(s): Noodles and Dumplings [https://www.instagram.com/noodlesanddumplings25/?hl=en] General links from this episode:  Have Lunch with Jess Elliott Dennison at the Edinburgh International Book Festival [https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/have-lunch-with-jess-elliott-dennison]

Episode 12: Jun Au, Pomelo

The youngest guest that Carlos and Kevin have welcomed to the show needs little to no introduction. Jun Au is the patron and head chef behind Pomelo, a stunning modern Chinese restaurant that uses the finest of Scottish ingredients. Pomelo is located in the neighborhood of Marchmont and is a favourite of many in town who seek out both the familiar and the unique; Pomelo’s hand-ripped noodles are among the most delicious dishes one can eat in all of Edinburgh (straight up, Kevin never misses an opportunity to rave about them). Come for Jun’s fascinating personal journey (including how he got on Great British Menu), stay for the in-depth noodle geekery.  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat?igsh=MWkwYmw2eTZiM2Vvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr].  Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here [https://www.firsttable.co.uk/] and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings. Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram: Pomelo [https://www.instagram.com/cafe_pomelo/?hl=en] Jun Au [https://www.instagram.com/_junau/?hl=en-gb] General links from this episode: Jun Au - Great British Menu, Series 21 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3bHVp72Dt7ChbFT0L10yK6k/jun-au]  Jess Elliott Dennison [https://www.instagram.com/jess_elliott_dennison/?hl=en-gb] VAT’s the Problem [https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/]  Stuart Ralston [https://www.instagram.com/chef.stuart.ralston/?hl=en] Aizle Hospitality Group [https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2025/10/02/stuart-ralston-brings-together-edinburgh-restaurants-as-the-aizle-hospitality-group/] Roberta Hall [https://www.instagram.com/chef_roberta_hall/?hl=en] Restaurants and bars mentioned in this episode: Felice e Testaccio [https://feliceatestaccio.com/] Jia Jia Tang Bao [https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g308272-d1015824-Reviews-Jia_Jia_Tang_Bao-Shanghai.html] Canopy [https://www.canopyedi.com/] Vern’s [https://www.vernschs.com/] Mosque Kitchen [https://www.ubereats.com/gb/store/the-mosque-kitchen/uP-506m7TAiN_rIkLDbPkQ?srsltid=AfmBOoqV-yJZX009LOXNruaOcXVzz7fif2XyodKX8tuHCTJdDLjPfwL8] The Palmserton [https://www.thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk/] The China Bowl [https://www.ubereats.com/gb/store/%E5%93%81%E5%91%B3%E5%B1%85the-china-bowl/albwQli7UqmaduFc0vZ9-w?srsltid=AfmBOooy8enay4I3815yFT6957Z0Rrwh0SqWjSXy20C0s3hhd5ZZh604]

Episode 11: Stuart Ralston, The Aizle Hospitality Group

Welcome to Season 2 of Eating and Waiting to Eat. This new set of ten episodes, which continue to take listeners on a behind-the-scenes journey of Edinburgh’s food scene, is bigger, badder and starts off with a real bang! Carlos and Kevin welcome the one and only Stuart Ralston to the studio. Stuart is the chef, restauranteur, and entrepreneur behind the Aizle Hospitality Group which consists of the restaurants: Noto, Tipo (a personal favorite of both Carlos and Kevin’s), Vinette, Vivien, and the Michelin starred showstopper, Lyla. The conversation is epic in scope. Stuart’s story, learnings, and insights is wide ranging, fascinating, and always entertaining. So much so, that it’s the longest episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat yet! So pour yourself a tall glass of wine (or a quad espresso) and enjoy the Season 2 premiere.   Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat?igsh=MWkwYmw2eTZiM2Vvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr].  Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here [https://www.firsttable.co.uk/] and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings. Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram: Stuart Ralston [https://www.instagram.com/chef.stuart.ralston/?hl=en] Aizle Hospitality Group [https://www.instagram.com/aizlehospitalitygroup/] Noto [https://www.instagram.com/notoedinburgh/] Tipo [https://www.instagram.com/tipoedinburgh/?hl=en] Lyla [https://www.instagram.com/lylaedinburgh/?hl=en] Vinette [https://www.instagram.com/vinette_edinburgh/] Vivien [https://www.instagram.com/vivienedinburgh?igsh=MXZvbTZiMTR2aXN2OA==] General links from this episode: Gordon Ramsay [https://www.instagram.com/gordongram/?hl=en] Angela Harnett [https://www.instagram.com/angelacooking/?hl=en] Michelin Guide [https://guide.michelin.com/us/en] Bib Gourmand  [https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/restaurants/bib-gourmand] Tom Kitchin [https://www.instagram.com/tom_kitchin/?hl=en] Martin Wishart [https://restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk/] Restaurants and bars mentioned in this episode: Jean-Georges [https://www.jean-georges.com/restaurants/united-states/new-york/jean-georges] Sandy Lane [https://www.sandylane.com/restaurants-in-barbados] Eorna [https://eornarestaurant.com/] Blue Hill Farm [https://www.bluehillfarm.com/] Zabar’s [https://www.zabars.com/] Gray’s Papaya [https://grayspapaya.nyc/] Yamato [https://www.yamatoedinburgh.co.uk/] Mirin [https://www.mirin.uk/] Hey Palu [https://www.heypalu.com/nibbles] Ardfern [https://ardfern.uk/] L’Escargot Blue [https://www.lescargotbleu.co.uk/]

Side Quest II: Jenny Niven, Edinburgh International Book Festival

And the questing continues! This time around, the amazing Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival - among the world’s oldest and most prestigious literary festivals - joins Carlos and Kevin’s fellowship. Jenny talks about the Festival’s breadth and scope, its unique space in Edinburgh’s cultural scene, its role in championing food and cooking related literature (and experiences), as well as - given that she lived in China for years - the Capital’s very best Chinese restaurants. Enjoy this second, and epic, Side Quests.   Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat?igsh=MWkwYmw2eTZiM2Vvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]. Connect with this Side Quest's guest(s) on Instagram:Edinburgh International Book Festival [https://www.instagram.com/edbookfest] General links from this Side Quest: Edinburgh International Book Festival [https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/] Edinburgh International Book Festival Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7wNGVMlr4Jr8c71Grwtd2T?si=4129578e20ce4352] Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 [https://hamishhawk.tmstor.es/?choose_location=1&sort=] Hamish Hawk on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3t3q007skKvwNaodwZx8W8?si=v-MJmZTZTquYaLgng19RKw] Ivor Cutler on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivor_Cutler] Hamish Hawk on his Ivor Cutler tribute [https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/books/hamish-hawk-on-his-ivor-cutler-tribute-at-edinburgh-book-festival-its-the-most-personal-thing-ive-ever-done-5180684] Underbelly [https://underbelly.co.uk/] Jess Elliott Dennison [https://www.instagram.com/jess_elliott_dennison/] Elliott’s [https://www.elliottsedinburgh.com/]  David Chang [https://www.instagram.com/davidchang/] Restaurants and bars mentioned in this Side Quest: Valvona & Crolla [https://www.valvonacrolla.co.uk/] Noodles and Dumplings [https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d13010268-Reviews-Noodles_And_Dumplings-Edinburgh_Scotland.html] Dumplings of China [https://www.dumplingsofchina.co.uk/]

Side Quest I: Adele Conn, TartanSpoon Blog

Gather your fellowship - ideally folks who share your love for breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper - and get ready to embark on the very first Eating and Waiting to Eat Side Quest! Side Quests are episodes that break from our show's usual format. They are designed to air in between seasons of the show, to be shorter in length (just like a Hobbit), and to focus on conversations with individuals doing amazing things in and around (or in support of) Scottish food and drink. Our first guest is none other than Adele Conn. Adele is "a wanderlust food lover, a wine enthusiast and a gin guru." She is also the force behind the award-winning blog TartanSpoon, which features reviews, recipes, and curated guides to Scotland’s culinary scene. Sit back and enjoy this first Eating and Waiting to Side Quest (and remember, always get the pie). Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat?igsh=MWkwYmw2eTZiM2Vvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]. Connect with Adele, this Side Quest's guest, on Instagram: TartanSpoon [https://www.instagram.com/tartanspoonblog/]  General links from this Side Quest: TartanSpoon Blog [https://www.tartanspoon.co.uk/] Colin Hinds [https://www.instagram.com/whiskyforager/] Restaurants and bars mentioned in this Side Quest: The Tipsy Midgie [https://www.tipsymidgie.com/] Copper Blossom [https://copperblossom.com/]  Lyla [https://lylaedinburgh.co.uk/] Shakedown Burgers [https://heyshakedown.co.uk/]  Cafe Pomelo [https://pomelocafe.co.uk/] Nadair [https://www.restaurantnadair.com/] Cardinal [https://www.cardinal.scot/] The Gilded Saloon [https://thegildedsaloon.co.uk/] Condita [https://www.condita.co.uk/] Bacaro [https://bacaro42.co.uk/] Blonde [https://www.blonderestaurant.co.uk/] Sabzi [https://www.sabzistreetfood.com/] Mirin [https://www.mirin.uk/] Fingal [https://www.fingal.co.uk/] Ardfern [https://ardfern.uk/] Civerinos [https://www.civerinos.com/]