Stephen Jardine: Deep-fried joke finally realises its potential

Sixteen starred establishments across the country are proof of the food and drink revolution that is under way, transforming Scotland from a deep-fried joke into the food tourism destination it deserves to be.

It comes hard on the heels of the news this week that Edinburgh is now one of Europe’s top ten food and drink destinations, according to Trip Advisor. That reflects the views of ordinary visitors proving that in culinary terms, at all levels, Edinburgh is a world hotspot.

Nowhere is that more evident than at the top of the market with five Michelin-starred restaurants now operating in the capital. One of them is Martin Wishart who held a star in Edinburgh and picked up a new one at Loch Lomond. That is the closest Scotland’s main centre of population gets to the delights of Michelin dining.

It is eight years since Glasgow lost its last Michelin star restaurant when Gordon Ramsay closed Amaryllis. Since then many have tried but none have succeeded. Last night the chef and owner of one of Glasgow’s top seafood restaurants told me he was perplexed by yet another snub.

• Stephen Jardine is co-founder of Taste Communications PR