What’s your favorite cake? Where do you stand on scones: sweet or savoury? Carrot cake, nuts or no nuts? Ashley Harley, Chief Operating Officer of Mimi’s Bakehouse and Nami (and daughter of Mimi herself) stops by the studio to answer these questions for Carlos and Kevin and to tell them the truly epic origin story of the beloved Edinburgh institution: Mimi’s Bakehouse. Ashley also expertly outlines the many challenges currently facing the Edinburgh hospitality industry. She speaks the truth in a way that is informative and hopeful. This episode is a masterclass in the entrepreneurial mindset required to both build a business and to make legendary vanilla on vanilla cupcakes (the best kind of cupcake there is).
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Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram:
General links from the episode:
Restaurants and bars mentioned in the episode:
Amaro, agave, fernet, and shenanigans. Kevin and Carlos welcome Alex Palumbo and Rachel Bailey Palumbo, the dynamic duo behind two of our favorite Edinburgh watering holes - Hey Palu and Chancho - to the show and, as you’ll hear, a great time was had. Alex and Rachel give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to open up a bar (during a pandemic no less) and the grit that's required to adapt and to grow a hospitality business against many a headwind. The only way this episode could have been more fun to record would've been to actually been drinking martinis and margaritas while recording it!
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Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram:
General links from the episode:
Next Door by Hey Palu’s Website
Friday Finally Newsletter on Substack
Hey Palu’s Neo Soul Spotify Playlist
Restaurants and bars mentioned in the episode:
The vibe - and the food - at Sabzi is undeniable. A truly family run, multi-award winning, North Indian restaurant, Sabzi is among Edinburgh's most memorable, unique, and delicious establishments. Stevie Singh, a member of the Singh family who own and operate Sabzi, drops by the podcast to delight Kevin and Carlos with family stories and mouth watering descriptions of Sabzi's fare. This conversation was pure food-loving joy.
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General Links:
https://www.sabzistreetfood.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sabzi.streetfood/
Restaurants Mentioned in the Episode
If it's a day of the week, odds are that you'll find Carlos stuffing his face at The Palmerston. An Edinburgh institution (despite not even being five years old) and a "not to be missed" pit stop for anyone visiting the city, The Palmerston is among Scotland's best restaurants. James Snowdon and Lloyd Morse, the pair behind The Palmerston, chat with Kevin and Carlos about their meet cute, their guiding philosophy towards food, and Taylor Swift's best albums.
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General Links
https://www.instagram.com/the_palmerston
https://www.instagram.com/lgvmorse
https://www.instagram.com/jamesasnowdon
The Palmerston and Newbarns to open pub in Edinburgh - DRAM Scotland
Restaurants Mentioned on the Episode
LOWDOWN COFFEE | Specialty Coffee | Edinburgh
Lannan | Bakery & Pantry in Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Mosque Kitchen Edinburgh - Authentic Indian & Middle Eastern Cuisin
Homepage - Kitchen Table London
Jolene | Bakeries & Restaurants in London
Some Other Links
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0749263/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02?si=mS44EF3VQzagxmlfPbrFTA
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2d0hyoQ5ynDBnkvAbJKORj?si=FQvCVq_wS5Ky1O_9DS29tQ
Episode 4 is all about that schiacciata, thinly sliced fixings, and hot honey! Kevin and Carlos geek out with Andy Mitchell and Chris Thompson, the dynamic duo behind Mootz General Store in Stockbridge. Mootz produces some of the most unforgettable and mouth watering sandwiches not just in Edinburgh but in the UK. As one random reviewer noted on TripAdvisor after tasting their first Mootz creation: this is “the best sandwich I had in my life (and I’m 61).”
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Follow Mootz on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mootzgeneralstore
Among Edinburgh’s, and Scotland’s, most beloved chefs, Roberta Hall-McCarron sits down with Kevin and Carlos to talk about her chef origin story, how she splits her time across three - equally beautiful and must visit - restaurants (The Little Chartroom, Eleanore & Ardfern), and even her fast food order (true to form, it includes Irn-Bru).
This was a true joy of a conversation - you can tell how much fun we had recording this chat by all the laughter - as well as an insightful look at what it takes to set up, run, and manage several restaurants.
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Roberta's Links:
https://www.instagram.com/chef_roberta_hall
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-changing-tides/roberta-hall-mccarron/9781739174033
https://www.thelittlechartroom.com
https://www.instagram.com/thelittlechartroom
https://www.instagram.com/eleanore_leithwalk
https://www.instagram.com/ardfern_edinburgh
Links to the people, places, and restaurants mentioned by Roberta:
Restaurants Near Me: Nearby McDonald’s Locations | McDonald’s
https://www.meatopia.co.uk/glasgow/home-glasgow
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/burj-al-arab-jumeirah
https://www.instagram.com/tom_kitchin
The Kitchin - our Michelin-starred restaurant in Leith, Edinburgh
https://www.instagram.com/shaunmccarron1
https://www.instagram.com/mcneill.hamish
https://www.dishoom.com/edinburgh/
https://thehawksmoor.com/locations/edinburgh
The man, the legend, Colin Hinds, whisky guru and proprietor of the Tipsy Midgie - which has been named Scotland’s best whisky bar in 2023, 2024, and 2025 - talks to Kevin and Carlos about his life, his career, and his connection and approach to ‘the water of life.’
Visit www.tipsymidgie.com to learn about the bar and to book yourself in for one of their many whisky tastings and experiences (which are not to be missed).
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General Tipsy Midgie Links:
Tipsy Midgie - The BEST Whisky Bar in Scotland for Whisky Tastings.
https://www.instagram.com/tipsymidgie
https://www.instagram.com/whiskyforager
Tipsy Midgie Whisky Bar - Forever Edinburgh
Licensee Interview: Colin Hinds, Tipsy Midgie - DRAM Scotland
The Distilleries and Bars mentioned by Colin:
https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/cardhu
https://www.auchentoshan.com/distillery-tours/experiences
https://smws.com/whisky-club-membership
Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh | Princes Street | Johnnie Walker UK
In this first episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat, Kevin and Carlos sit down with Elizabeth Elliott and Sharif Gergis, the duo behind Mirin, the Asian-inspired bistro on Leith Walk that The Times described as “the most exciting, unique Asian-influenced restaurant in Edinburgh.” It’s a lively chat that details Elizabeth and Sharif’s origin story and Mirin’s evolution from ramen shop to the award winning institution it is today.
Visit www.mirin.uk to learn more and make your bookings.
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General Mirin links:
HOME | Mirin | Asian fusion small plates, dumplings, noodles, Leith, Edinburgh
https://www.instagram.com/mirinleith
Sharif’s local Chinese takeaway in Glen Rothes:
https://www.just-eat.co.uk/restaurants-mayflower-glenrothes/menu
Omar’s Komugi Noodles (a Mirin supplier):
https://www.instagram.com/komuginoodles
https://www.instagram.com/yaoyao_noodles
Alternative Meats (a Mirin supplier):
https://alternativemeats.co.uk
Elizabeth and Sharif’s Edinburgh Restaurant Recommendations:
https://stockbridgeeatinghouse.co.uk