Scotland’s food scene is set for a major shake-up after three generations of the world’s most famous culinary dynasty come together to open two new restaurants in first half of 2016.
"There is no doubt Scotland is coming of her culinary age."
Albert and Michel Roux Jnr, supported by Michel’s daughter Emily, are to open the first of their co-branded restaurants at Inverlochy Castle near Fort William later this month, closely followed by the opening of the second at Crossbasket Castle on the outskirts of Glasgow on 1 May.
Both restaurants will be intimate, seating up to 50 at Inverlochy and 25 at Crossbasket, and will be run by chefs trained in Roux kitchens, whose graduates include Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing and Scot Andrew Fairlie.
Speaking of the new venture, Albert Roux OBE, KFO, who currently runs five Chez Roux restaurants across Scotland, said: “Michel Jnr and I are hugely excited about working together at these two fantastic locations. The ‘Albert and Michel Roux Jnr’ restaurants will offer menus in the style of Le Gavroche but with a contemporary and distinctly Scottish twist, focusing on ingredients that are, as far as possible, hyper-local to each location.
“There is no doubt Scotland is coming of her culinary age. We have a population that loves food and is becoming increasingly aware of the fantastic produce in the seas, fields and forests.”
Michel Roux Jnr said: “There is so much fantastic produce and talent to be found in the area. I’m particularly thrilled about Emily coming on board – my father and I are classically French in style whereas Emily is slightly more contemporary in her cooking. It makes for a great dynamic, and a very exciting time for the Rouxs.”