Tom demonstrates a culinary CV that extends from early training at the Gleneagles Hotel to experience garnered from some of the world’s most renowned chefs and restaurants, including Pierre Koffmann and the Three Michelin Star La Tante Claire restaurant in London, Three Michelin Star restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris, and Alain Ducasse’s Three Michelin Star Le Louis XV restaurant in Monte Carlo. 

Tom became Scotland’s youngest Michelin Starred Chef-Proprietor, having achieved the accolade aged only 29. He has become a well-known face on television, having appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, UKTV Food’s Market Kitchen, in BBC2’s successful series, The Great British Menu and BBC2’s Remarkable Places to Eat. Tom has, on many occasions, joined some of the UK’s most renowned chefs on the MasterChef Final Chef’s Table panel as a judge.

In June 2012, Tom received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Edinburgh Napier University for his significant contribution to Scottish Food Culture.

The Restaurant –

The Kitchin is located in a converted whisky bonded warehouse in Edinburgh’s old dock area of Leith. Designed around the original stone and wood features, the dining room is intimate, cosy, and relaxed.

Guests can view Chef and his team through a glass window in the main dining room allowing them to enjoy the theatre of cooking.

Diners can expect a welcoming, non-intrusive service from a highly professional team.

The Team –

Husband and wife team Tom and Michaela Kitchin are the proprietors, and their passion and ambition are reflected throughout the entire team.

Together with Restaurant Manager, Steven Spear and Head Chef Lachlan Archibald, they have formed an excellent team of Scottish and international colleagues.

In 2007, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star and in 2015 it became Scotland’s only restaurant to hold 5 AA Rosettes, both of which the restaurant has held onto every year since.

The Kitchin has continued to gain recognition with many prestigious awards and accolades. Recent awards include;

The Kitchin, 1 star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2022

The Kitchin, 5 AA Rosettes, AA Best Restaurants 2023

The Kitchin, 5th Best UK Restaurant, The Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants 2023

The Kitchin, Scotland’s Best Restaurant Of The Year, The World Culinary Awards, 2022

The Kitchin, Best Restaurant Outside of London, Food & Travel Awards, 2021

The Kitchin, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, No 2, UK, Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021

The Kitchin, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, No 10, Europe, Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021

Tom Kitchin, Chef Award, The Cateys, 2020

Tom & Michaela Kitchin, Restaurateur of the Year, The National Restaurant Awards, 2019

With a genuine commitment to making a difference, Tom Kitchin has long been a champion for the local community. He supports a number of causes that provide important opportunities for young people, from primary school visits to events at local community centres to opportunities that have allowed young people into the restaurant to experience the industry first-hand.

The Kitchin partners with several charities to highlight food and its importance in communities. The team has been instrumental in raising funds and supporting projects that help people learn, understand and develop a passion for food and cooking.  

Tom Kitchin has been a long-standing ambassador for local charity The Spartans Community Football Academy, supporting the delivery of food packages, helping launch a local breakfast club, and hosting a series of events and cooking masterclasses. 

Since 2016, The Kitchin has been offering work experience, placement, education, and employability opportunities to young people across the city through a close working relationship with community-based youth work charity, Citadel Youth Centre.