WATCH: Head chef at Orrin in Elgin says affordable local produce is a ‘tricky problem’
Our media journalist went along to Orrin restaurant in Elgin and spoke with their head chef, Elliot, to learn more about the nature of a professional kitchen, local produce and the stress it can entail.
Orrin became Elgin’s only fine dining restaurant around three years ago and has since taken on 24-year-old Elliot as their head chef to curate delicious menus and source fresh produce.
The restaurant has only received high praise and positive reviews from locals and tourists, so our reporter Annabelle Gauntlett went along to see behind the scenes of this busy kitchen and cook something from their menu.
When talking about local produce Elliot said: “I think government are more concerned with things like housing and other infrastructure rather than giving more room for businesses to start up and local produce.
“They could try and help give the farmers a bit more money, but if you’re giving them an extra ten pence then that means prices in shops are going to increase by an extra fifty pence or a pound. That just keeps going down and down the line so then we would have to charge even more for getting the same amount.
While passionate about using fresh, local ingredients, the chef highlighted the challenges of sourcing consistently reliable local produce. "Local suppliers don’t do the quantity or reliability we need" he said, citing unpredictable availability and supply chain issues.
He urged for there to be more support for local farmers and suppliers to make local sourcing a viable and sustainable option for restaurants.
