The Seven Sins of Paul Wedgwood |
Chef Patron, Wedgwood The Restaurant |
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Paul Wedgwood started his career in the Lake District working in a variety of establishments from gastropubs to fine dining Michelin starred restaurants. Paul was particularly inspired by working under celebrity chef John Tovey at Miller Howe in Windermere. A passionate and ambitious chef, Paul and his wife and business partner Lisa’s long term goal was always open a fine dining restaurant in which they could combine his experiences to be able to offer fine dining in informal surroundings with excellent service.
In 1999 Paul opened the Georgian House Bar in Kendal and six years later, on a visit with his wife Lisa to his parents in Edinburgh, the couple’s dreams started to become realised when they found the venue for Wedgwood the Restaurant.
Wedgwood the Restaurant has quickly become a key player in the Edinburgh restaurant scene and Paul with his vivacious and enthusiastic character is often called upon and is available to perform cooking demonstrations throughout the UK and internationally. |
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Paul is also a regular favourite at a number of festivals including Foodies and is a regular guest on STV’s The Fountainbridge Show. In 2014 Paul had the huge honour of being part of the Commonwealth Games relay as he took the baton to Barbados, where he has a number of restaurants.
This year Paul achieved a hat trick of accolades: They were listed in The Sunday Times 100 Best Restaurants, which said:
“The dynamic young chef Paul Wedgwood and his wife, Lisa, have created something very special amongst the tartan gonks of Edinburgh’s touristland, to show visitors the joys of Scottish food. There’s haggis on the menu and an outstanding Mull cheddar bread - and - butter pudding, while the wine list attracts sommeliers from the capital’s top restaurants on their nights off: that’s some compliment.”
In the same week the restaurant won the SLTN Wine Award for their exceptional wine list and Paul has also been named Edinburgh’s “Hospitality Hero” at the regional heat of VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards. |
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| Wrath - What makes you angry about the hospitality industry?
Customers who use review sites as a bargaining tool, threatening you with bad reviews unless they get complimentary items! Unfortunately this really does happen! Also young chefs who don't want to spend the time learning the necessary skills before wanting to move up the ladder, they want everything now!
Greed - If all your food fantasies came true what would be on your Plate?
A medley of Scottish game and shellfish, which I believe are the absolute best in the world.
Sloth - What do you do to unwind?
Get on my bike in the countryside and forage, I love finding new ingredients which I can take back to the restaurant. I am also a very keen but poor golfer and I love going down to Anfield to watch my boyhood club, Liverpool.
Pride - What are you most proud of?
Achieving my dream to have a successful restaurant, and also I am very proud of those chefs who have worked through my kitchen and gone on to make a success in their own right.
Lust - Is there anything that you are still lusting to achieve?
To find the time to have a family, and pass on my knowledge and love of food to the next generation... I would love to appear on Saturday kitchen to I reckon the omelet challenge is mine!!
Envy - who are you most envious of?
I don't get envious, I know how hard this industry is, so any chef that has made a success of themselves I respect rather then envy.
Gluttony - have you ever over indulged?
Every Christmas day!
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| We put the spotlight on the industry's most recognisable faces in our new interview segment "Seven Sins". If you want to know what inspires the industry's movers and shakers or what your favourite food loving celebrity likes to indulge in then you'll find it in their Seven Sins. |
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