Edinburgh’s Lyla celebrates first anniversary with guest chef series featuring some of the UK’s top chefs

Chef Stuart Ralston is launching a guest chef series, Shore to Shore, at his Edinburgh restaurant Lyla to celebrate its first anniversary. This guest chef series, starting this month, will turn the spotlight on the diversity of British seafood by featuring collaborative dinners with some of the UK’s top chefs. The series will unfold in two parts, beginning this autumn and continuing into early 2025.

The inaugural events of the series are scheduled with Theo Clench on 23^rd and 24^th October, followed by Alex Nietosvuori of Hjem on 30^th October, and Andy Beynon of Behind on 11^th November. The series will resume next year with Johnnie Crowe of St Barts on 30^th January and Joshua Overington of Mýse on 18^th February.

Each evening will commence with an assortment of snacks served in the upstairs drawing room of Lyla, a 26-cover restaurant housed in a Georgian townhouse, and guests will be treated to a selection of cocktails and champagne from a trolley service. The main event will feature a four-course menu crafted jointly by Ralston and the visiting chefs, highlighting both signature dishes from Lyla and new creations inspired by the Scottish larder.

The menus will be complemented by an optional drinks pairing curated by Lyla’s sommelier, Stuart Skea. The selection will include wines and sake from small domains, with a focus on new-age and old-world styles, as well as a significant representation of UK-based producers. The series is sponsored by N25 Caviar and supported by Krug Champagne, who are currently collaborating with Theo Clench as part of their Krug x Flower series.

Lyla, which opened its doors in October 2023, is Stuart Ralston’s fourth venture, following the success of Aizle, Noto and Tipo. Located in a space formerly occupied by the late Paul Kitching’s 21212 restaurant, Lyla has quickly gained recognition for its focus on ingredients sourced from the Scottish Isles. In 2024, it was named one of the Best New Openings by Condé Nast Traveller, debuted at number 28 on the National Restaurant Awards, and has been mentioned as one of the most exciting new restaurants in the UK by World’s 50 Best and the Food & Travel Awards.

Prices for the dinners vary, with the collaboration between Theo Clench and Krug Champagne priced at £325, which includes a menu paired with wines, plus service and any extras. The dinners with the chefs from Hjem and Behind are priced at £165 each for the menu.

Food Desk

Shore to Shore guest chef series begins on 23^rd October 2024, to book a table visit Lyla’s website here. 

Lyla’s Shore to Shore full calendar:

23^rd & 24^th October 2024 – Theo Clench (ex Cycene* and Akoko*) 

30^th October 2024 – Alex Nietosvuori, Hjem*

11^th November 2024 – Andy Beynon, Behind*

30^th January 2025 – Johnnie Crowe, St Barts*

18^th February 2025 – Joshua Overington, Mýse*