Edinburgh Food Studio to close permanently

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The team behind Edinburgh Food Studio have announced the permanent closure of their Dalkeith Road restaurant and kitchen.

Initially opened by chef Ben Reade and his partner Sashana Souza Zanella as a food research hub, following a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2015 to refurbish the site. 

It subsequently opened to diners in 2018, with James Murray brought in to oversee the kitchen as head chef. 

The restaurant arm of the business ran in tandem with the existing Scottish food research lab and avant-garde events programme, which earned the Studio significant acclaim.

However, in light of the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus crisis, Reade and Zanella have taken the decision not to renew their lease on the site.

In a letter to friends of the Studio, Reade - who previously worked for famed Copenhagen restaurant Noma as head of research and development at the Nordic Food Lab - said: "We must take this chance to thank everyone who has helped us at 158 Dalkeith Road. Our treasured suppliers who have brought in the very best of Scottish produce, our myriad collaborators and friends who have kept spirits up, and our most welcome guests who have made it all possible.

"There is nobody, however, who deserves more thanks than our team. It is our team who have worked tirelessly to build Edinburgh Food Studio with us over the last few years, our team who have put so much passion and dedication into serving great food to our guests. We send them our heartfelt thanks. This will impact nobody more than them.

"So, it's with heavy hearts we have closed the doors and say goodbye to 158 Dalkeith Road. In the spirit of moving onwards positively, we see this as an opportunity for rebirth, growth and redefining Edinburgh Food Studio.

“We have reinvented ourselves before: we will do it again. We don't know what form it will take or exactly where it will be but we'll be back."