Eating and Waiting to Eat

Barry is the Scottish word for ‘good,’ and it couldn’t be more apt for this episode. Barry Bryson, the chef and restauranteur behind the beloved Leith based Barry Fish, is a good guy, who gives one hell of a good interview! Carlos, Kevin, and Barry have a delightful and wide ranging chat. They cover everything from Barry’s private cheffing days, having his fish mongers on WhatsApp, the ups and downs of the restaurant industry, to even his favorite Madonna tracks (spoiler alert: for many, many years Madonna’s “Hung Up” continuously made Carlos’ top ten most played songs). Lock in - you’re in for a delicious ride!   

Join Kevin and Carlos for a LIVE recording of Eating and Waiting to Eat on August 16th, 2026 at the Edinburgh International Book Festival - they’ll be interviewing chef and author Ben Lippett (tickets here). 

Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here. 

Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings.

Connect with this episode’s guest(s):
Barry Bryson on Instagram
Barry Fish Website
Barry Fish on Instagram

Restaurant(s) recommended by this episode’s guest(s):
Mirin
L’Escargot Blue
Fin & Grape
The Fishmarket Newhaven

Writer, cook, mum, traveler, entrepreneur, and just all around wonderful human, Jess Elliott Dennison joins Kevin and Carlos for a special episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat. Jess takes us an engaging and entertaining tour through her many food-related eras. From working for Jamie Oliver, to running a cafe, to running a cafe during COVID, to her beautiful cook books, the establishment of her food studio, and her partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, there are few things Jess has not done in and for the Edinburgh food scene. She plays a unique and important role in the city’s (and Scotland’s) hospitality tapestry.

Speaking of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, make sure you check out one of the many cooking workshops being hosted at Jess’ studio, Elliott’s, AND that you join Kevin and Carlos for a LIVE recording of Eating and Waiting to Eat on 16/8/26 - they’ll be interviewing chef and author Ben Lippett (tickets here). 

Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here. 

Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings.

Connect with this episode’s guest(s):
Jess Elliott Dennison on Instagram
Elliott's

Restaurant(s) recommended by this episode’s guest(s):
Noodles and Dumplings

General links from this episode: 
Have Lunch with Jess Elliott Dennison at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

The youngest guest that Carlos and Kevin have welcomed to the show needs little to no introduction. Jun Au is the patron and head chef behind Pomelo, a stunning modern Chinese restaurant that uses the finest of Scottish ingredients. Pomelo is located in the neighborhood of Marchmont and is a favourite of many in town who seek out both the familiar and the unique; Pomelo’s hand-ripped noodles are among the most delicious dishes one can eat in all of Edinburgh (straight up, Kevin never misses an opportunity to rave about them). Come for Jun’s fascinating personal journey (including how he got on Great British Menu), stay for the in-depth noodle geekery. 

Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here. 

Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings.

Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram:
Pomelo
Jun Au

General links from this episode:
Jun Au - Great British Menu, Series 21 
Jess Elliott Dennison
VAT’s the Problem 
Stuart Ralston
Aizle Hospitality Group
Roberta Hall

Restaurants and bars mentioned in this episode:
Felice e Testaccio
Jia Jia Tang Bao
Canopy
Vern’s
Mosque Kitchen
The Palmserton
The China Bowl

Welcome to Season 2 of Eating and Waiting to Eat. This new set of ten episodes, which continue to take listeners on a behind-the-scenes journey of Edinburgh’s food scene, is bigger, badder and starts off with a real bang! Carlos and Kevin welcome the one and only Stuart Ralston to the studio. Stuart is the chef, restauranteur, and entrepreneur behind the Aizle Hospitality Group which consists of the restaurants: Noto, Tipo (a personal favorite of both Carlos and Kevin’s), Vinette, Vivien, and the Michelin starred showstopper, Lyla. The conversation is epic in scope. Stuart’s story, learnings, and insights is wide ranging, fascinating, and always entertaining. So much so, that it’s the longest episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat yet! So pour yourself a tall glass of wine (or a quad espresso) and enjoy the Season 2 premiere.  

Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here. 

Download the First Table app, our sponsors for Season 2, here and use the code ‘ podcast ‘ for even more savings.

Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram:
Stuart Ralston
Aizle Hospitality Group
Noto
Tipo
Lyla
Vinette
Vivien

General links from this episode:
Gordon Ramsay
Angela Harnett
Michelin Guide
Bib Gourmand 
Tom Kitchin
Martin Wishart

Restaurants and bars mentioned in this episode:
Jean-Georges
Sandy Lane
Eorna
Blue Hill Farm
Zabar’s
Gray’s Papaya
Yamato
Mirin
Hey Palu
Ardfern
L’Escargot Blue

And the questing continues! This time around, the amazing Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival - among the world’s oldest and most prestigious literary festivals - joins Carlos and Kevin’s fellowship. Jenny talks about the Festival’s breadth and scope, its unique space in Edinburgh’s cultural scene, its role in championing food and cooking related literature (and experiences), as well as - given that she lived in China for years - the Capital’s very best Chinese restaurants. Enjoy this second, and epic, Side Quests.
 
Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here.
Connect with this Side Quest's guest(s) on Instagram:Edinburgh International Book Festival
General links from this Side Quest:
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Edinburgh International Book Festival Podcast on Spotify
Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0
Hamish Hawk on Spotify
Ivor Cutler on Wikipedia
Hamish Hawk on his Ivor Cutler tribute
Underbelly
Jess Elliott Dennison
Elliott’s 
David Chang

Restaurants and bars mentioned in this Side Quest:
Valvona & Crolla
Noodles and Dumplings
Dumplings of China