The Kitchin was opened by Tom Kitchin and then fiancée Michaela Berseilus in June 2006. The building is a former whisky bond on the waterfront in the Leith area of Edinburgh.[2] The imprint of Kitchin's work with Alain Ducasse and Pierre Koffmann is noticeable in the style of food served,[2][3] and the restaurant has received support from other chefs that Kitchin has worked with; including opening with the cutlery and plates formerly used at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant La Tante Claire, operated by Koffman.[2] The interior of the restaurant is decorated with dark woods and shades of grey by design company Cubit Design, and wallpapers by Jocelyn Warner.[2] A window opens from the dining room onto the kitchen area itself, and it has a conservatory-style bar serving snacks and light meals.[4]
The food merges seasonal Scottish produce with French styles and techniques; the restaurant has the mantra "from nature to plate".[4] While chef Tom Kitchin was away filming The Great British Menu for the BBC in March 2008, Pierre Koffman came out of retirement to stand in as head chef.[5]
Within six months of opening, The Kitchin was awarded a Michelin star.[6] In 2009 the restaurant was voted as the second-best restaurant in Britain by Eat Out Magazine,[6] and the best restaurant in the UK by Observer Food Monthly in 2010.[7] The team behind The Kitchin opened a second restaurant, Castle Terrace, in July 2010.[8]
In June 2021, former workers of the Kitchin made allegations of bullying, violence and sexual assault in his restaurants. One alleged a chef burned a woman's arm with a hot tray from an oven, while another claimed staff were repeatedly punched if they were not fast enough. On 3 July, Tom Kitchin suspended two members of staff following these allegations. Kitchin Group said the claims would be "fully and independently" investigated.[9]
(Michelin Guide)